The Angels suddenly have a vacancy in their bullpen, as Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reports that right-hander Cory Rasmus needs surgery for a core injury and will miss 6-8 weeks.
Rasmus, 27, had a 2.57 ERA and 57/17 K/BB ratio across 56 innings last season. He spent most of the year in the bullpen, but made a handful of abbreviated starts down the stretch while the Angels were dealing with injuries in their rotation.
With Rasmus out of the mix until sometime in May, Gonzalez pegs Vinnie Pestano and non-roster invitee Matt Lindstrom as strong candidates for the final two bullpen spots.