TEMPE, Ariz. — Asked in passing about his most recent spring outing, Angels left-hander Drew Pomeranz gave two thumbs-up with a smile as he walked through a hallway in the clubhouse Thursday.
Words were not necessary to say plenty about where the veteran stands heading into his 13th major-league season, as well as the renewed confidence he possesses.
In a span of a year, Pomeranz has gone from thinking his baseball days could be ending to having one of the most fulfilling seasons of his career with the Chicago Cubs. His new lease on life includes a one-year, $4 million contract to pitch for the Angels this season.
“I’ve told these guys here: ‘Tell me whatever you want me to do. I’ll do whatever you want,’” Pomeranz said. “I’m just happy to be here.”
His spot on the Angels’ roster was not a gift. He earned it while pitching for the Cubs after he was last in the major leagues with the San Diego Padres in 2021. He was stuck in Triple-A while on the comeback trail following a procedure on his left elbow late in the 2021 season.
Starting in 2022, he spent time in the minor leagues with the Padres, Dodgers and Seattle Mariners and was even with the Angels in the spring of 2024 before he was released at the end of camp.
He opened last season at Triple-A Tacoma but knew after nine appearances that his life was about to change when his phone buzzed and the screen read “Craig Counsell.” The Cubs manager, who had also been Pomeranz’s manager in Milwaukee, had some good news for his old friend.
The Cubs purchased Pomeranz for cash from the Mariners and brought him to the major leagues immediately. He showed his appreciation by delivering a 2.17 ERA over 57 appearances, with four of those in the first inning as an opener.
“I had a good year and just kept going,” Pomeranz said “I mean, it was the best time I’ve ever had in my life.”
His run in Chicago ended with an opener assignment in the deciding Game 5 of the National League Division Series against his former club, the Brewers. Pomeranz gave up a run in the first inning as the Cubs were eliminated in a 3-1 loss.
On a personal level, Pomeranz’s season was a win.
“I think the big part of it was just being healthy enough to just go out there and not think about which way it doesn’t hurt every day just to throw,” Pomeranz said. “It was just being able to just let it rip and just go right after guys. … You just attack and go out there, try not to throw too many pitches, sort of getting outs as quick as possible.”
Pomeranz found that success once his fastball returned between 92 and 93 mph last season. He averaged 92.3 mph on 17 fastballs Wednesday and has averaged 92.7 mph this spring.
“I faced Pom as a starter, I faced him as a reliever and watching him do what he did last year and then come into camp the first few weeks, how he goes about his business and his mentality has all been positive,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “And for younger guys to see that is also a good thing.”
Pomeranz thrives on positivity. He said the Cubs’ bullpen leaned into it last year starting with the energy from afternoon Wrigley Field crowds. It only grew with the team in playoff contention. And he can see the positives inside the Angels’ clubhouse as well.
“There’s a lot of good, good dudes around here,” Pomeranz said, looking out at the big room in front of him. “I mean, they obviously put some thought into this year about putting the right group together, coaching staff. Everyone that’s here, it’s pretty good. Now we just got to put it all together.”
CENTER OF ATTENTION
The original Angels lineup Thursday had Mike Trout in left field before a late change moved him into center field. Bryce Teodosio was moved from center to left.
Before the change was made, Suzuki continued to insist that the 11-time All-Star will be his starting center fielder this season. Trout expressed his intention to return to center field earlier this spring.
Trout did have a start in left field earlier this spring but has not played there in a major-league game since 2013.
With Trout listed in left field on the morning lineup, Suzuki was asked if there was an alternate plan for center field when the season starts.
“No, I honestly haven’t really even thought about that,” Suzuki said. “Right now, my mind is focused on Mike being in center field and that is where we’re going right now.”
Another late lineup change had Zach Neto moving from leadoff to the No. 3 spot, swapping places with Jorge Soler.
ON HIS WAY
After starting mound work Feb. 14, right-hander Robert Stephenson will face hitters on a back field Thursday. An appearance in Cactus League play remains undetermined.
Stephenson has made just 12 appearances in the first two seasons of a three-year, $33 million contract, and is now working his way through a nerve issue that affected him during the offseason.
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