Los Angeles Angels Designate Billy Buckner for Assignment

Billy Buckner threw five shutout innings on Saturday for the Angels and wound up designated for assignment on Sunday. (Image Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports)

Less than 24 hours after throwing five shutout innings against the Kansas City Royals, the Los Angeles Angels have designated Billy Buckner for assignment, according to a release by the team. The move was made in order to make room for Kevin Jepsen to be activated from the disabled list.

Buckner’s spent most of the season with the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate, going 4-2 with a 4.56 ERA in 8 starts (47.1 IP). The start Saturday was his first appearance of the season in the Major Leagues after failing to win a spot on the team’s roster out of Spring Training and his first in the Major Leagues since 2010. With that win he’s 7-11 with a 6.03 ERA over 143.1 IP for his career, making 37 appearances and 22 starts over parts of five seasons with the Royals and Arizona Diamondbacks. Buckner joined the Angels on a minor league deal this past November.

Jepsen had been sidelined with a strained lat muscle in his right side. He’s thrown just 3.2 IP for the Angels on the year in six appearances, with a 9.82 ERA and 1.636 WHIP.