Angels drop Joe Blanton from rotation

The Angels have removed Joe Blanton from their starting rotation, moving the pitcher who leads the major leagues in losses into their bullpen.

Garrett Richards will replace Blanton in the rotation, starting with Saturday’s game against the first-place Oakland Athletics. Richards has started four games this season -- the last one a 10-6 loss to Oakland on April 30 -- and has been in the Angels’ bullpen since then.

Blanton, 32, is 2-13 with a 5.66 earned-run average. No major league pitcher has given up more hits, runs or home runs.

He is under contract for $6.5 million this season and $7.5 million next season, with a $1-million buyout
guaranteed for the 2015 season.

Angels Manager Mike Scioscia met with General Manager Jerry Dipoto and pitching coach Mike Butcher to discuss the team’s pitching situation Wednesday morning, after which Blanton was informed of the decision to remove him from the rotation.

Scioscia said there is no timetable for Blanton to return to the starting rotation and said the Angels want him to work on improvements without the pressure inherent in a rotation spot.

“We just want to get Joe out of the grind of starting,” Scioscia said, “and give him a chance to make some adjustments.”

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