The Los Angeles Angels needed to clear a spot on the active roster for new acquisition Zack Greinke, who was acquired on Friday from the Milwaukee Brewers. The option is an expensive one, as southpaw reliever Hisanori Takahashi was optioned to Triple A Salt Lake on Saturday.
Takahashi is making $4.2 million this season in the second year of a two-year, $8 million contract. He wasn't pitching all that poorly, with a 4.37 ERA with 31 strikeouts and nine walks in 35 innings, but appeared to be the odd man out in the bullpen.
Takahashi had allowed a run in four of his last nine outings, including three home runs.
Greinke, who was acquired in a three-for-one deal for shortstop Jean Segura and minor league pitchers Ariel Pena and John Hellweg, will start Sunday's series finale against the Rays.
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