Joel Pineiro makes his return to the starting rotation on Saturday night as the Los Angeles Angels battle the Baltimore Orioles in the second game of a three-game weekend series in Anaheim. Pineiro, who was removed from the starting rotation three weeks ago, made three appearances in relief. His return to the rotation is really more out of necessity than anything.
Rookie Garrett Richards strained his right groin Monday night against Texas and was placed on the disabled list. Fellow rookie Tyler Chatwood was optioned to Triple A Salt Lake on Thursday when catcher Hank Conger was recalled. The Angels are desperate to find starters to follow Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, and Ervin Santana in their rotation.
Pineiro impressed in his three shutout innings in relief of Richards on Monday, including just the third three-strikeout inning of Pineiro's career. However, Pineiro allowed runs in his other two relief outings, giving up six runs (five earned) in eight innings overall in relief. Since the All-Star break, Pineiro has an 11.39 ERA in 21 1/3 innings, with eight walks and just five strikeouts.
Tommy Hunter, who was acquired along with Chris Davis from Texas in the Koji Uehara trade on July 30, gets the start for Baltimore. Hunter is 2-2 with a 4.28 ERA on the season, including 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in four games, including three starts, with the Orioles. The Angels have won three of four games against Baltimore this season.
Saturday's 6:05 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Fox Sports West. For more news and information on the Angels, be sure to read Halos Heaven.