The Philadelphia Phillies strengthened their bullpen on Saturday by acquiring Los Angeles Angels closer Carlos Estevez for two minor league pitchers.
Estevez entered Saturday with the third-lowest WHIP (0.74) in the majors among pitchers with at least 30 innings pitched. The right-hander has 20 saves in 23 opportunities and has converted 14 in a row while limiting batters to a .169 average on the season.
The Angels acquired right-hander George Klassen and left-hander Samuel Aldegheri in the deal.
Estevez, 31, had 51 saves in 97 appearances for the Angels over the past 1 1/2 seasons. He recorded 31 saves last season, when he was an American League All-Star.
This season, Estevez has allowed just 20 hits while striking out 32 in 34 innings. He is 1-3 with a 2.38 ERA in 34 appearances.
Estevez bloomed with the Angels after spending six seasons with the Colorado Rockies. Overall, he is 24-29 with a 4.29 ERA in 418 career relief appearances.
Jose Alvarado (13 saves) has been Philadelphia’s main closer this season.
Klassen, 22, was a sixth-round pick by the Phillies in the 2023 draft.
Klassen was 3-2 with a 1.97 ERA in 14 starts split between Class-A teams Clearwater and Jersey Shore this season. He had 89 strikeouts in just 59 1/3 innings.
Aldegheri, 22, went 6-7 with a 3.23 ERA in 15 starts between two levels this season. The native of Italy’s past two starts were at Double-A Reading after being promoted from Jersey Shore. He has fanned 109 in 78 innings this season.
Philadelphia signed Aldegheri as an undrafted free agent in July 2019.