Los Angeles Angels DFA 7-Year Veteran Pitcher
Right-hander Jose Fermin was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake, and left-hander Joey Lucchesi had his contract selected from the same affiliate.
Anderson made nine appearances out of the Anaheim bullpen this year, posting a 5.94 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP across 16.2 innings with 12 strikeouts.
The numbers are consistent with what Anderson has produced every time the Angels have given him a shot at the big league level.
A Career Defined by Organizational Depth
Anderson, 31, was a third-round pick of the Red Sox in 2016 and has spent parts of seven seasons in the majors across eight organizations, including San Francisco, Minnesota, Texas, and Los Angeles.
He carries a 6.39 career ERA across 163.1 big league innings, a number that has never improved enough to earn him a stable roster spot anywhere.
With the Angels specifically, he has been a recurring presence at Triple-A Salt Lake and an occasional bullpen call-up whenever the roster needed an arm.
#Angels transactions:
— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) April 26, 2026
•Recalled RHP José Fermin from Triple-A Salt Lake
•Selected the contracts of LHP Joey Lucchesi (#67) & C Sebastián Rivero (#38)
•Placed C Logan O’Hoppe on 10-day IL (left wrist fracture)
•Designated RHP Shaun Anderson & RHP Jordan Romano for assignment
In 2025, he made 24 Triple-A starts and logged 116.2 innings of 6.02 ERA ball in the Pacific Coast League, a hitter-friendly environment that still did not help his numbers look any better than they were elsewhere.
His seven big league appearances last season produced six home runs allowed in 11 and a third innings.
This year, the Angels selected his contract in late March when injuries to Grayson Rodriguez, Alek Manoah, Kirby Yates, Robert Stephenson, and Ben Joyce left the pitching staff desperate for arms.
He gave them innings when they needed them.
The results were never going to be pretty, and they were not.
What Comes Next
Fermin, 24, returns to the big league staff after 40 appearances in 2025 and a 3.27 ERA across nine games at Triple-A Salt Lake this season in the PCL, which makes that number look even better given the environment.
Lucchesi, 32, brings veteran experience from a 3.76 ERA campaign with the Giants in 2025 and gives the Angels a left-handed multi-inning option.
Aaron Judge was not happy with Angels pitcher Shaun Anderson. Then he homered and all Mike Trout could do was smile pic.twitter.com/a4aQx1QRwK
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 14, 2026
For Anderson, the path forward is the same one it has been throughout his career.
He will either clear waivers and elect free agency or find another organization willing to take a look at a depth arm who can eat innings at the Triple-A level.
Given his track record, there will likely be someone willing to make that call.
Photo Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
