Angels Option Garrett Richards; Recall David Carpenter

The Los Angeles Angels demoted young right-hander Garrett Richards to Triple-A and promoted reliever David Carpenter before Thursday's game to add a much-needed arm to their bullpen, reports Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times:

#Angels option RHP Garrett Richards to triple-A Salt Lake and recall RHP David Carpenter. They need a fresh arm for over-taxed bullpen,

— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) August 2, 2012

With set-up man Scott Downs hitting the disabled list Tuesday and closer Ernesto Frieri beginning to look human, Carpenter adds a fresh arm to the struggling bullpen. After a very solid first half of the season the Halos bullpen has begun to erode, allowing 31 runs in 53 1/3 innings since the All-Star break through Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Carpenter is in his second stint with the Halos this season. Prior to Thursday night's action, the right-hander owned a 3.55 ERA and 6.0 K/9 in 38 innings pitched.

With Ervin Santana on a short leash and Dan Haren still battling back issues, Richards, 24, will likely return to the Halos rotation soon.

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Should the Angels have added a reliever at the deadline?

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