The Los Angeles Angels selected the contract of right-hander George Klassen from Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday, calling up the pitcher to make a scheduled start against the Seattle Mariners. The move was accompanied by the designation for assignment of veteran right-hander Joey Lucchesi, the club announced.
Klassen’s promotion moves him onto the Angels’ 40-man roster and into the major-league pitching rotation for the upcoming game. The club named him the starter for Sunday’s matchup, giving the Angels a fresh arm to deploy against the Mariners. The Salt Lake Bees are the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate, and Klassen’s selection reflects the organization’s decision to tap internal depth for a rotation need this week.
The corresponding move for the Angels was to designate Lucchesi for assignment. When a player is DFA’d, the team has up to seven days to trade him, release him, or place him on irrevocable outright waivers; during that window other clubs may claim him. Lucchesi’s DFA opens a 40-man spot for Klassen and begins the process that will determine Lucchesi’s next destination or roster status.
No additional details about Klassen’s stats at Triple-A or his previous big-league experience were provided in the team announcement. The selection itself indicates the Angels view him as a viable option to start in the near term, at least for Sunday’s game, rather than using a bullpen game or another rotation member on short rest. How long Klassen will remain with the major-league club will likely depend on his performance and any subsequent roster moves the Angels make.
From a fantasy perspective, the Angels’ move matters immediately: Klassen is scheduled to start Sunday, while Lucchesi’s DFA removes him from many active rosters and could limit his short-term value unless another club claims him. Fantasy managers should monitor the start probability and status reports leading up to first pitch, as teams sometimes change plans on the day of the game.
This roster shake-up is the latest example of how early-season roster management can affect both club pitching plans and player availability. The Angels will now evaluate Klassen’s outing and decide whether to keep him in the rotation or make further adjustments, while Lucchesi’s fate will be resolved through the DFA process in the coming days.