EDs: UPDATES with quotes.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -Reliever Justin Speier was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday because of what the team called a medical condition unrelated to baseball.
Speier wasn’t at Saturday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, but returned Sunday and said he had flu-like symptoms. He said then he was getting better and hoped to be available to pitch in the near future.
“It doesn’t seem like he’s going to be available to pitch here this series,” manager Mike Scioscia said, referring to a three-game set with the Cleveland Indians that ends Thursday. “It just looks like it’s going to take a little bit of time.”
Citing federal privacy laws, Scioscia said he couldn’t discuss Speier’s health, although he did say the pitcher “was weak and was having trouble sleeping.”
Asked if he thought Speier would be out another week, Scioscia said, “I hope not.”
To replace Speier on their 25-man roster, the Angels recalled infielder Kendry Morales from Triple-A Salt Lake of the Pacific Coast League.
Speier, a 33-year-old right-hander who signed a four-year, $18 million free-agent contract during the offseason, is 0-0 with a 1.69 ERA in 15 games with the Angels. He has allowed only seven hits in 16 innings while walking five and striking out 17.
Speier hasn’t pitched since April 30, when he tossed two-thirds of an inning at Kansas City. He has stranded all 13 inherited runners in his 15 appearances.
“Justin has been throwing the ball as well as he ever has,” Scioscia said. “As time goes on, we need some guys to fill that void.”
The 23-year-old Morales was hitting .287 with one homer and 10 RBIs in 23 games for Salt Lake. He appeared in two games for the Angels last month, getting two hits in five at-bats.
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