Angels activate Aaron Loup off IL as part of bullpen moves

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Angels have revamped their bullpen in pursuit of more success in the middle innings.

The Angels activated left-hander Aaron Loup from the injured list and called up right-handers Reyes Moronta and Jacob Webb before Sunday's 4-2 win against the Minnesota Twins.

To make room for the three pitchers, right-handers Jimmy Herget, Andrew Wantz and Zack Weiss were sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Entering games Sunday, the Angels had the majors' eighth-highest bullpen ERA in May (4.39) and had allowed 16 of 27 inherited runners to score this month. Los Angeles was the only team that had allowed over half of inherited runners to score this season (37 of 73).

"We've had a lot of issues the last couple days in an area we know we need to get better," manager Phil Nevin said.

The back half of the Halos' pen is strong. Carlos Estévez came into Sunday tied for second in the majors with 11 saves and picked up his 12th against the Twins, and Matt Moore had allowed only one earned run in his previous 17 games and 20 innings.

Getting to the late innings and preserving a lead has been the problem.

Loup missed 15 games with a right hamstring strain, but had struggled in his recent appearances before going on the IL. He is 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA in 11 appearances this season.

Nevin said during recent bullpen sessions he has noticed Loup has had better command of his fastball and more consistency in his delivery.

Moronta spent spring training with the Texas Rangers, but he was released when he didn't make the roster. The right-hander signed a minor league deal with the Angels on May 11. He made three appearances for Salt Lake and did not allow a run in four innings. He pitched 2/3 of an inning Sunday, giving up two hits and a walk and striking out two.

Webb is back in the majors for the first time since 2021 with Atlanta.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.