Angels LHP Reid Detmers eager to prove worth as starter vs. Astros

Los Angeles Angels left-hander Reid Detmers will try to take advantage of his latest opportunity as a major-league starting pitcher when he takes the mound against the Astros in Houston on Saturday night.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Detmers, 26. "I feel like I learned a lot coming out of the bullpen that I can transfer over to starting. I'm just ready to get back there and have some fun. I'm not trying to overthink or anything. Just go out and have fun and see what happens."

The Angels have won the first two games of the series against Houston to start 2-0 for the first time since the 2007 season. They've also won their first two games on the road for the first time since 2004.

Detmers lost his starting role after going 4-9 with a 6.70 ERA in 17 starts in 2024. He was 3-6 with a 6.14 ERA after 12 starts that season, was sent to the minors for three months, but didn't show much improvement in his five starts for the Angels in September.

He made 67 appearances out of the bullpen last season and was more effective, going 5-3 with a 3.96 ERA, but he had only three saves in eight opportunities.

"Detmers coming back in the rotation, I'm really excited about that," Angels general manager Perry Minasian said during spring training. "I feel like he's primed for a big year. We've seen him in the rotation in the past. We've seen him have great (games). He threw a no-hitter (vs. Tampa Bay in 2022). So there's significant upside there."

Detmers said he spent a lot of time during the latest offseason trying to figure out why he had more success out of the bullpen than as a starter.

"I think the main thing was, when I was starting in the past, I had a hard time putting guys away," Detmers said. "I would always get ahead and have a hard time putting guys away."

Detmers has struggled against the Astros in his career, owning a 1-4 record in 12 appearances (nine starts) with a 7.83 ERA.

Meanwhile, Angels outfielder Mike Trout is 4-for-6 to start the season with two home runs and four walks.

The Angels' bullpen has also thrown 7 2/3 scoreless innings to start the season, allowing just one hit.

"We have that middle-aged group, which I feel we haven't had the last couple of years," Detmers said. "We have young guys, but they've all been here, done it. It's just a matter of putting the pieces together and showing everybody who we are."

The Astros plan to start right-hander Cristian Javier on Saturday.

Astros pitchers have given up nine runs and 20 hits in the first two games. Angels pitchers have responded by giving up two runs on 11 hits and leaving 18 runners on base.

Javier underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2024 and returned last August, going 2-4 in eight starts with a 4.62 ERA. One of those starts was against the Angels on Aug. 29, when he threw six no-hit innings in a 2-0 victory.

Javier has done well against the Angels in his career, posting a 5-1 record in 13 appearances (nine starts) and 2.93 ERA.

"I feel very good," Javier said through an interpreter during spring training. "The most important thing is I feel confident in myself and I feel very healthy right now."

--Field Level Media