REPORT: Former Guardians Pitcher Agrees To Deal With Angels

After making just five Major League starts for the Cleveland Guardians this year, right-handed pitcher Zach Plesac elected free agency on October 13.

Now, after over two months, the 28-year-old has reportedly agreed to join a new team.

According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, Plesac has agreed to a Major League contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

Angels have a deal done with Zach Plesac @ByRobertMurray 1st said “close”
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 31, 2023

The terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed.

Plesac had previously spent his entire professional career with the Guardians organization. He was drafted by Cleveland in the 12th round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Ball State University.

The right-hander eventually made his Major League debut in 2019. Plesac made 21 starts that year, going 8-6 with a 3.81 ERA, 88 strikeouts, and a 1.23 WHIP. He also recorded one of the best starts of his career against the Angels, tossing the only complete game and shutout of his career so far.

Plesac then had arguably his best season the following year. He made eight starts during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, going 4-2 with career-bests in ERA (2.28), WHIP (0.80), opposing batting average (.191), and strikeouts per nine innings (9.27).

In 2021, Plesac tallied a career-best 10 wins, also tallying career-bests of 100 strikeouts and 25 appearances (all starts), but surrendering a 4.67 ERA and .248 opposing batting average.

Despite tying his career-highs of 100 strikeouts and 25 appearances and decreasing his ERA to 4.31 the following season, Plesac recorded a career-high 12 losses in 2022.

However, his performance regressed in 2023. In his five starts for the Guardians, he went 1-1 with a 7.59 ERA, 14 strikeouts, and career-highs in both WHIP (1.97) and opposing batting average (.397). Plesac was then designated for assignment and finished the season with Triple-A Columbus.