The Angels designated pitcher Billy Buckner for assignment and added J.C. Gutierrez to their 25-man roster.
Gutierrez was claimed off waivers Wednesday. Buckner was 1-0 with a 4.67 earned-run average in seven games with the Angels this season.
Buckner started 12 games for Triple-A Salt Lake and two more for the Angels. He could have reprised the role Saturday, when the Angels decided to skip Joe Blanton‘s turn in the rotation. Instead, they gave the start to Garrett Richards.
So Buckner became the odd man out in the bullpen when the Angels had to add Gutierrez, who has far more experience relieving at the major-league level — 172 games to Buckner’s 20.
The Angels already designated Buckner for assignment once this year, in May, when they needed to add Kevin Jepsen to their roster. Buckner is out of minor-league options.
The Angels made one other move Thursday, exchanging an international slot bonus amount for minor-league outfielder Julio Concepcion and minor-league right-hander Andres Perez. Concepcion will be assigned to rookie-level Orem and Perez will report to the Arizona League.
