He threw fewer than five innings for the Angels’ Triple-A squad.
According to the official Minor League transactions record, the Salt Lake Bees have released Corey Knebel, a minor league pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels. Knebel, who joined with the Angels on August 13, has been released less than a month later.
Knebel played six games with the Bees, making one start. He only pitched 4.2 innings, but he allowed 17 hits and 13 earned runs while striking out six. In his most recent start, he allowed five earned runs in two-thirds of an inning before being removed. He concluded his time with the Bees with an ERA of 25.07.
Knebel is once again a free agent after the Angels let him go. Knebel began the season at Triple-A Charlotte of the Chicago White Sox, where he appeared in six games. He gave up no hits or earned runs and struck out eight, although he struggled with ailments for much of the season.
The 32-year-old has not pitched in the majors since 2022, when he was with the Philadelphia Phillies. Knebel participated in 46 games for the Phillies that season, pitching 3-5 with a 3.43 ERA and 41 strikeouts. Knebel’s season ended in August 2022, when the Phillies placed him on the 60-day injured list with a ruptured capsule in his shoulder. He missed the remainder of the season.
Knebel did not pitch in 2023 and is attempting a comeback this season. He signed with the White Sox in February 2024, but he is currently a free agent again.
Knebel, who made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2014, was once regarded as a powerful reliever. He spent the most of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers, including a career-low 1.78 ERA in 76 games in 2017.
Knebel’s 2017 season was easily the best of his career. Knebel became the Brewers’ closer and made his only MLB All-Star Game appearance. That season, he set an MLB record of 45 consecutive games with a strikeout by a relief pitcher. He eclipsed the mark set by former Cincinnati Reds reliever Ardolis Chapman, who struck out in 38 consecutive games in 2014.
Knebel had Tommy John surgery in 2019, which caused him to miss the full season. He rejoined the Brewers in 2020, but was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers following the season. Knebel spent 2021 with the Dodgers before joining the Philadelphia Phillies for the 2022 season.
