TEMPE, Ariz. — Relievers Chris Devenski, Jonathan Holder and Jacob Webb are each enjoying something of a baseball rebirth this spring.
In Devenski’s case it has the added benefit of happening with the team he cheered for as a kid in Orange County.
“It feels awesome man,” Devenski said. “I grew up five minutes from (Angel Stadium). I used to drive by there every day to go to school.”
Devenski, a product of Gahr High and Cal State Fullerton, said his favorites were players like Tim Salmon, Garret Anderson and Troy Percival. He was 11 when he celebrated the Angels’ World Series title in 2002, and then he worked as a security guard at Angel Stadium when he was in college.
Devenski was an All-Star reliever with the Houston Astros before a pair of surgeries cost him most of the past three seasons.
Holder, 29, had a 3.56 ERA in his first three years with the New York Yankees, but a shoulder injury has prevented him from pitching in the majors since 2020.
Webb, 29, had a 2.47 ERA in parts of three seasons with the Atlanta Braves, but he hurt his ankle working out during the lockout last year.
Now, all three are non-roster invites with the Angels, each vying for a spot in the bullpen.
Right-handers Carlos Estevez, Ryan Tepera and Jimmy Herget and left-handers Aaron Loup, José Quijada and Matt Moore all seem to be locks for the bullpen, with right-hander Andrew Wantz also likely to have a firm hold on a job based on last season. Jaime Barría is out of options, so he’ll be on the staff in some capacity, as either a long reliever or a swing man between the rotation and the bullpen.
The Angels are expected to have eight full-time relievers and perhaps a ninth if they use a swing man for the final rotation spot.
Devenski, Holder and Webb are the three most established bullpen candidates among the non-roster players.
“My goal would be to break with the team,” Devenski said. “That’s the ultimate goal. That’s what I’m working towards, trying to…
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