Nick Tropeano was acquired by the Angels in a 2014 trade with the Houston Astros. The Astros received Hank Conger in return for both Tropeano and Carlos Perez. After being traded, Tropeano was excellent in 2015 for the Angels.
Tropeano shares a similar story to Wednesday’s starter, Tyler Skaggs. Mid-way through last season, Tropeano tore his ulnar collateral ligament—more commonly known as the Tommy John injury among baseball fans. The lefty was the third Angels pitcher to undergo the season ending surgery last year. Ominously, Angels’ pitcher Kenyan Middleton, and possibly Blake Wood, will also have to undergo Tommy John surgery this season.