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The Los Angeles Angels have signed right-handed relief pitcher Ryan Madson to bolster their struggling bullpen, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. L.A. had 22 saves blown last season, and Madson could potentially serve as their closer or setup man in 2013.
Madson, 32, signed with the Reds last offseason, but an elbow injury in the spring forced him to have Tommy John Surgery. He did not appear in any games in 2012, and was one of the more attractive free-agent relievers on the market. Assuming he passes his physical, Madson will officially become an Angel within a day or two. The terms of the deal are yet to be released.
Madson shined in a late-inning role with the Philadelphia Phillies from 2007-11. His career ERA is 3.59 over the course of 630 professional innings. Madson strikes out quite a few batters, and has solid command of a fastball, cutter and changeup.
Look for the veteran reliever to begin pitching in Los Angeles in April or May. Tommy John Surgery typically takes a little more than a year to recover from, and Madson will certainly need time pitching in an instructional league to get back into his old form.