The LA Angels and general manager Billy Eppler saw something special in Felix Pena. The career reliever was prepped to become a starting pitcher even though the Angels already had seven starters going into Spring Training in 2018.
However, as has been the case in recent years the Angels had three starters J.C. Ramirez, Garrett Richards, and Matt Shoemaker going down in the season’s first month. So Felix Pena was pressed into service as a starter in mid-June.
Pena made 17 starts in 2018 going 3-5 with a 4.00 ERA in 90 innings of work and a 1.