Ryan Madson is slated to make his first foray into the American League.
According to CBSSports.com, the former Phillies set-up man and closer –– who missed the 2012 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery as a member of the Reds –– is nearing a deal with the Angels.
Madson will likely get his chance to return to closing, a job he undertook for the Phillies in 2011. That season, the 32-year-old reliever converted 32 saves in 34 opportunities.
Last offseason, the Reds inked Madson on a one-year, $8.5 million deal. But he never appeared in a single regular-season game –– let alone a spring training one –– after suffering the elbow injury.
Madson had an $11 million mutual option with the Reds for 2013, but declined it. The Reds, after all, have All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman, although the team is also reportedly in talks with Jonathan Broxton as a possibility to close if they move Chapman to the rotation.
The Angels are looking to shore up their bullpen after blowing an American League-high 22 saves in 2012. Madson, a resident of Temecula, Calif., also has a familiarity with the Angels’ medical staff after consulting with them during his rehab.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@RyanMadson46
