Aaron

Loup

There was some speculation that the Angels might exercise the option in order to avoid having the $2 million buyout tacked onto to their 2023 payroll, but it seems that won’t be the difference in whether or not they wind up over the cut for the luxury tax. The option certainly wasn’t going to get picked up on merit. Loup had a 3.84 ERA in his first season with the Angels in 2022, but it was only that reasonable because 13 of the 38 runs he allowed were unearned. He had a 6.10 ERA in 2023.

Loup is done for the remainder of the season with a left shoulder strain.

Loup gave up four runs in his final outing of the season Tuesday, leaving him with a 6.10 ERA in 48 2/3 innings. There’s been some speculation that the Angels could pick up Loup’s $7.5 million option for next year if it would help them stay under the luxury tax this season by nullifying his $2 million buyout. Otherwise, he’ll almost certainly become a free agent after two disappointing seasons with the club.

The 35-year-old has been on the shelf with a right hamstring strain since early May. The lefty has an atrocious 7.00 ERA, 2.11 WHIP, and 8/5 K/BB ratio over 11 appearances this year for the Angels.

The severity of the injury -- as well as how much time the left-hander will miss -- are not yet known. The 35-year-old has registered a 7.00 ERA, 2.11 WHIP and an 8/5 K/BB ratio over nine innings. Andrew Wantz returned from Triple-A Salt Lake to take his place on the Angels’ bullpen.

He has been replaced on the American squad by left-hander Aaron Loup. No word yet on exactly what type of injury Raley is dealing with or how long he’ll be sidelined, but expect the Mets to provide more information in the coming days.

Loup, 34, ended the game with a strikeout of Cal Raleigh. The veteran southpaw has his first save since 2014.

Loup missed the weekend series in Toronto because he’s unvaccinated but will now rejoin the Halos’ bullpen.

Loup is among the contingent of Angels that are not allowed to travel to Toronto due to their vaccination status. The 34-year-old left-hander has appeared in 51 games for the Angels this season, registering a 4.05 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 48/18 K/BB ratio over 46 2/3 innings.

He’ll make $7.5 million each of the next two seasons and the buyout on his option is $2 million. Loup had to settle for a minor league contract a couple years ago and now gets $17 million even as he’ll turn 34 next month. He earned it by putting up a 0.95 ERA and 57/16 K/BB ratio over 56 2/3 innings for the Mets in 2021.