Angels reliever Chris Devenski enjoying second chance after injuries
ST. LOUIS — Two games into his Angels career, Chris Devenski is basking in the joy of feeling like his old self while wearing the uniform of his childhood heroes.
“This is definitely a dream,” the right-handed reliever said on Wednesday. “I’m very thankful. My focus right now is just executing one pitch at a time. Do whatever I can to help the team.”
Devenski, 32, grew up as an Angels fan. He lived five minutes from Angel Stadium, in Santa Ana. He attended Gahr High in Cerritos and Cal State Fullerton. After dealing with injuries for the last three years, he signed a minor league deal with the Angels over the winter.
As more time has passed since his 2021 Tommy John surgery, Devenski said he’s finally feeling more like the pitcher he was before all the injuries. He had been an All-Star with the Houston Astros in 2017.
He pitched just 14-2/3 innings with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies last season, but he feels like a new pitcher now.
Recalled on Saturday after José Quijada went on the injured list, Devenski has retired all eight batters he’s faced so far, including a double play. His fastball has averaged 93.8 mph, and his bread-and-butter changeup has also been effective.
“I could tell one thing different was definitely the fastball command, and I can trust my fastball and feel like I’m spinning it pretty good right now,” Devenski said. “It was like night and day.”
Manager Phil Nevin first used Devenski to hold a three-run lead against the Milwaukee Brewers, and on Tuesday he used him for two innings.
“No moment too big,” Nevin said. “He stepped right back into a big role like that, that he held for a long time a few years back, and I think he’s got the confidence back because he’s healthy. You can see how he uses his pitch mix to keep hitters off balance, then he can go back to the fastball. Really excited with what we have down there and another piece of our bullpen that can help us late in a game.”
Devenski speaks as if he’s enjoying a second chance after a couple of surgeries derailed his career. He had surgery to remove bone chips after the 2020 season, and Tommy John surgery the next year.
“It’s been hard,” Devenski said. “I’m not gonna lie, but there’s a big word that I lean on in my life and my career: perseverance. Anyone who can persevere through tough times and obstacles in life, there’s always going to be a brighter day. You’ve got to believe that. You can’t quit. That’s basically been the story of my life and my career. Not quitting. I love this game and I want to play as long as I can. If injuries happen, that’s part of it. Just keep going. That’s all you can do.”
SURGERY FOR QUIJADA
To no one’s surprise, the second opinion on Quijada’s damaged elbow was not encouraging, so the reliever will have Tommy John surgery.
Nevin said all that’s left is scheduling the surgery, which has a rehab time of 12 to 18 months.
“Of course he’s crushed,” Nevin said. “He’s disappointed as anyone would be right now. But understanding what’s ahead of him. Nobody is going to feel sorry for you. A lot of guys have been through this. He’s not the first one. He understands the work he’s got ahead of him to be back and hopefully get a good chunk of next season in.”
PROGRESS FOR WALSH
First baseman Jared Walsh, who has missed the season so far with headaches and insomnia, is inching closer to a return.
Walsh has been working out in Anaheim, and Nevin said on Wednesday they are currently talking about what the next step will be. He could face some live pitching in workouts at Angel Stadium and then head out on a rehab assignment, or he could go directly to the rehab assignment.
UP NEXT
Angels (RHP Griffin Canning, 1-0, 4.11) vs. Cardinals (RHP Jack Flaherty, 2-3, 3.94), Thursday, 10:15 a.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM