Angels add Jo-Jo Reyes, four years after last MLB outing

With five games left in the regular season, the Angels on Wednesday added a pitcher who last pitched in the major leagues four years ago.

He is left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes, 30, who started this season in the Mexican League. He has not pitched anywhere in 27 days.

“We need arms,” Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said. “To get those two innings out of Mat Latos yesterday was huge.”

At 18-8, the Angels have the best record in the major leagues this month. On Tuesday, they took the lead in the race for the final American League wild-card spot.

But their pitching staff is battered and exhausted. In the past 16 games, their starters have pitched six innings just three times.

Closer Huston Street (groin) and starter Matt Shoemaker (forearm) are out; setup man Joe Smith (ankle) has not pitched in 13 days but said Wednesday he is ready to return. Jered Weaver is scheduled to start Friday, but he left his last start because of a sore shoulder.

Reyes, who played high school ball at Riverside Poly, has pitched in Mexico, South Korea and both triple-A leagues since his last major league game. He signed with the Angels in June and made 15 appearances at triple-A Salt Lake.