The Angels released Crouse (undisclosed) on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

After failing to win a spot in the Angels' Opening Day bullpen, Crouse began the season at Triple-A Salt Lake but seemed to suffer a significant injury while throwing just four pitches in his second appearance of the season Thursday. The Angels still haven't provided any details regarding Crouse's injury, but the fact that he's being released rather than being placed on the big club's 60-day injured list likely hints that he's in line for an extended absence. Los Angeles selected the contract of right-hander Michael Darrell-Hicks from Triple-A to replace Crouse on the 40-man roster.

Crouse appeared to suffer an injury and departed Thursday's game with Triple-A Salt Lake after throwing four pitches, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Crouse entered the contest in the eighth inning and worked a 1-2 count on the only batter he faced before being pulled. The right-hander went down to a knee while waiting for a trainer to examine him on the mound, then walked off the field in apparent frustration after it was determined that his outing was over. The organization hasn't yet provided an update on Crouse, so it's not clear what caused his early exit Thursday. He logged 25 outings with the Angels last season, posting a 2.84 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 34:17 K:BB over 25.1 innings, but he wasn't able to crack the Opening Day roster this year.

The Angels optioned Crouse to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Though he posted a tidy 2.84 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 25.1 innings out of the Angels' bullpen in 2024, Crouse had a poor spring, and that looks to be the main reason why he was unable to break camp with the big club. Over his six Cactus League appearances spanning 4.2 innings, Crouse yielded five earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven. He'll likely need to show improved control early on in the season at Salt Lake before receiving another look with the big club.

The Angels optioned Crouse to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

One day after being recalled from Triple-A, Crouse will head back to Salt Lake to make room in the bullpen for a fresher arm in lefty Jose Suarez, who was called up from the minors in a corresponding move. Crouse tossed 27 pitches and retired four hitters in his relief appearance in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Rangers, allowing no runs on zero hits and two walks while striking out one.

The Angels recalled Crouse from Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander was optioned to Salt Lake on Aug. 21, and he'll return to the big leagues after spending little more than the 15-day minimum in the minors. Crouse has been a solid bullpen piece for the Halos this year with a 3.00 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 33:15 K:BB over 24 innings.

The Angels optioned Crouse to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Crouse has done a solid job in the Angels' bullpen since being brought up from the minors in June, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 24 innings. However, he'll end up as the Halos' roster casualty as Johnny Cueto comes up from Triple-A to start Wednesday's game. Crouse also owns a 2.70 ERA at Salt Lake and could rejoin Los Angeles' bullpen down the stretch if he remains effective.

Crouse (4-0) earned the win over Seattle on Wednesday, allowing one hit and striking out two batters over one scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Crouse entered with the Mariners up 1-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning and threw 12 of his 15 pitches for strikes in a scoreless frame. The Angels then scored twice in the top of the eighth, putting the right-hander in line for the victory. Prior to his call-up June 21, Crouse last pitched in the majors during 2021, and he had struggled with injuries over his past two seasons. However, he's done well with Los Angeles, posting a 1.76 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB while compiling four wins over 15 appearances covering 15.1 frames.

The Angels selected Crouse's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Crouse inked a minor-league contract with the Angels in February and after earning a 2.70 ERA with a 42:7 K:BB across 23.1 innings at Salt Lake, he'll get a much-deserved look at big-league action. Crouse hasn't appeared in an MLB game since 2021 with Philadelphia.

Crouse signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Thursday, Jared Tims of the Talkin' Halos podcast reports.

EDGE Analysis

Crouse was a prospect of some notoriety a few years back with the Rangers but has struggled with performance and health since then. He made two appearances with the Phillies in 2021 but has been limited to a combined 34.1 innings over the last two years in the minors because of injuries. Crouse is evidently healthy now and is still just 25, so the Angels will see what he has in the tank.

Crouse (biceps) struck out a batter over a perfect inning Sunday in the Phillies' 9-5 loss to the Red Sox in Grapefruit League play.

EDGE Analysis

The 12-pitch appearance was Crouse's first of the spring, though it's unclear if he was held out of Grapefruit League action up to this point due to the lingering effects of the biceps injury that sidelined him for most of the 2022 season or if the Phillies were simply prioritizing other pitchers who have more realistic odds of breaking camp with the big club. Whatever the case, Crouse appears set to begin the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, though it's unclear if the Phillies will look to continue his development as a starter or have him make a full-time transition to the bullpen on the heels of an injury-plagued season.