ANAHEIM, Calif. — Within reach of the No. 3 American League wild card spot, the Angels acquired starting pitcher Lucas Giolito and reliever Reynaldo López from the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in exchange for top minor league prospects, Ky Bush and Edgar Quero.
Drafted as a first round selection in 2012 by the Washington Nationals, Giolito, 29, has spent seven of his eight major league seasons in Chicago. This year, he holds a 6-6 record with a 3.79 ERA after 21 starts. He ranks 10th in the American League for most strikeouts with 131.
The Angels will also be adding some depth to their bullpen with López, who was signed by the Nationals to a minor league contract in 2012 and made his MLB debut in 2016, right before he was traded to the White Sox. This season, López pitched 43 games in relief, earning a 2-5 record with a 4.29 ERA. He’s also logged four saves and 52 strikeouts this year.
In return, the White Sox will receive one of the Angels top pitching prospects. Bush, 23, was drafted as a round two pick by the Angels in 2021 and has played with the ACL Angels and Double-A Rocket City over the course of three minor league seasons. This season, the young left hander has gone 1-4 with a 7.20 ERA after throwing eight games. His MiLB career record is 8-10 with a 4.47 ERA after 34 starts.
20-year-old catching prospect Quero will also join the White Sox with a .246 average, 63 hits, three home runs and 35 RBIs after his season with Double-A Rocket City this year.