May 25, 2025
By Rhett Bollinger
ANAHEIM – The Los Angeles Angels welcomed back top pitching prospect Caden Dana for a brief stint on Saturday, recalling him from Triple-A Salt Lake to serve in a long-relief role during their matchup against the Miami Marlins. The move came just ahead of another roster change, as Dana was slated to be optioned again Sunday, with Jake Eder set to take his place.
Dana, the Angels’ No. 2 overall prospect and ranked No. 65 in MLB Pipeline’s national list, was pulled from a scheduled Triple-A start to assist the MLB bullpen. However, in his relief appearance, he surrendered a costly three-run homer during the seventh inning of a 6-2 loss, which snapped the Angels’ season-best eight-game win streak — their longest since September 2014.
Dana tossed the final three innings of the game but struggled in his first frame, throwing 41 pitches with 21 strikes. He issued three walks and gave up a three-run blast to Connor Norby on a 1-2 changeup. His final line: three runs allowed on three hits and four walks, with four strikeouts. His ERA on the season rose to 7.50 over six innings.
“After the first inning, he settled in and saved the bullpen,” said manager Ron Washington. “If he had made the right pitch in that moment, those three runs wouldn’t have scored. But he didn’t.”
Dana’s return was part of a corresponding move after right-hander Shaun Anderson was designated for assignment following a difficult stretch (6.30 ERA in 10 innings). Left-hander Jake Eder, who has a 4.78 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings at Triple-A, will replace Dana.
At age 21, Dana is currently the youngest player in the American League. At Triple-A Salt Lake, he had a 5.21 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 16 walks across 38 innings. While he started the year strong with a 3.28 ERA in his first six outings, his last two starts saw him give up 11 runs in just 5 1/3 innings.
“My main focus has been staying healthy and consistent,” Dana said. “I’ve been working on some small mechanical tweaks to improve deception and stay sharp mentally day to day.”
Dana previously made his big-league debut earlier this season on April 4, allowing two runs over three innings against Cleveland. That appearance was also in relief, which Dana says helped him get more comfortable with the role.
“That experience early in the year gave me confidence,” he said. “It made this time easier.”
Despite throwing 63 pitches on Saturday, Washington dismissed any concerns that the brief stint could hinder Dana’s development as a future starter.
“This won’t stall his progress,” Washington said. “He’s here to help us now, and if we need him again, we’ll bring him back.”
Dana also pitched in the majors late last season, starting three games with a 1-2 record and a 9.58 ERA across 10 1/3 innings. He says his biggest takeaway so far has been the importance of getting ahead in counts and avoiding unnecessary walks.
“Throw strikes,” Dana said. “That’s what it comes down to. Trouble starts when you fall behind.”
His latest outing may have been brief, but Dana continues to gain valuable experience that the Angels hope will pay off in the long run.
