The Angels acquired RHP Odrisamer Despaigne from Miami in exchange for cash considerations Tuesday. In a corresponding move, RHP Dayan Diaz has been designated for assignment. The announcement was made by Angels General Manager Billy Eppler.
Despaigne, 31, (pronounced: oh-DREE-sah-mer deh-SPAWN-yay) appeared in 11 games (one start) for the Marlins this season and went 2-0 with a 5.31 ERA (20.1 IP - 12 ER). He opened the season in the Marlins starting rotation, but made his first appearance of the year in relief in the 17th inning on March 30 vs. Cubs and was the winning pitcher. Despaigne would make his lone start of the year the following day before being moved to the bullpen. He missed one month (April 20-May 21) this season on the disabled list with a right forearm strain and was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans on June 7. In 13 games (four starts) for the Baby Cakes, he went 2-3 with a 4.36 ERA (43.1 IP - 21 ER) and 40 strikeouts. He was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for June 25-July 1 after working 10.1 shutout innings across two appearances.
A native of La Habana, Cuba, Despaigne made his Major League debut with the Padres on June 23, 2014 after making just seven minor league appearances between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso. He played professionally for Havana Industriales of Cuba's Serie Nacional for eight seasons before signing with San Diego as an international free agent on May 2, 2014. In 98 career Major League games (43 starts) he has gone 13-21 with one save and a 4.76 ERA (331 IP - 175 ER) and 200 strikeouts across parts of five seasons with the Padres (2014-15), Orioles (2016) and Marlins (2017-18).