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The Los Angeles Angels have added a bit more bullpen depth to go along with new hires Mark Lowe and Dane De La Rosa, acquiring right-hander Elvin Ramirez from the Mets for cash considerations, reports Bill Shaikin of the LA Times.
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Ramirez, 25, is one of several farmhands that the Mets were hoping to clear off of their 40-man roster to make room for guys like LaTroy Hawkins, Scott Atchison, and Marlon Byrd. The right-hander made his big-league debut with the Mets last year, posting a 5.48 ERA, striking out 22 and walking 20 (!) over 21⅓ innings in a few brief bullpen stints.
High strikeout and walk numbers have been Ramirez's calling card throughout his time in professional ball, though not quite as extreme as in his short big-league stint. The right-hander posted a solid 2.13 ERA, 5.2 BB/9 rate, and 9.3 K/9 rate in 55 innings between Double- and Triple-A last season, and has a 1.62 K/BB ratio overall in six seasons of minor-league ball.
Ramirez will likely set up shop in the Halos' bullpen at Triple-A, but could make his way to Anaheim if someone in the big-league 'pen goes down with an injury (which is very likely).