| 5/3: The Angels traded for Ernesto Frieri on Thursday. He's not a likely closing candidate, at least initially, but the team needed to add arms for the set-up crew too. Walden still hasn't pitched since being demoted out of the closer's role a week ago.
4/27: One day after Walden had his first blown save in just his second opportunity, manager Mike Scioscia temporarily removed him from the closer's job, handing it over to Scott Downs. Downs very well could have a short leash here.
4/26: A by-product of the poor start by the Angels is the precious few save and pressure situations that have required the services of closer Jonathan Walden. Heading into action on Thursday he had only pitched in 4.1 innings through the Angels' 18 games. Things went sour quickly on Thursday as he came in with a 3-2 lead and yielded a single and a two-run homer to the only two batters he faced, taking the 4-3 loss to Tampa. He has only one other save opportunity to date and needs more meaningful appearances to find his groove. A potent Angels' lineup should soon get untracked, so don't bail on Walden.
4/21: Walden finally received his first save opportunity Friday night and converted it without a problem. The bigger issue has been finding reliable relievers to get the game to Walden. Kevin Jepsen blew a game earlier in the week in the eighth, coughing up a 2-1 lead for Dan Haren. Scott Downs has been a little banged up, but he's the primary set-up option. Don't be surprised if the team trades for another reliever in the near future.
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