By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim announced on Friday that they have designated LHP Brett Oberholtzer for assignment. The move clears a 40-man roster spot for RHP Abel De Los Santos, who was claimed from the Cincinnati Reds in a corresponding move.
Oberholtzer, 27, was previously designated for assignment by the Phillies on August 6 to open a 40-man roster spot for RHP Jake Thompson, but was claimed by the Angels three days later.
The Christiana, Delaware, native posted a combined 3-3 record and a 5.89 ERA between two starts and 35 relief appearances with the Philadelphia Phillies and Angels in 2016. He was one of the Phillies' five acquisitions in the trade of closer Ken Giles to the Houston Astros last December, the others being starter Vince Velasquez and minor-leaguers Mark Appel, Harold Arauz and Thomas Eshelman.
While donning red pinstripes Oberholtzer allowed 28 runs (27 earned) with 38 strikeouts through 50 1/3 innings. Through 20 innings with the Angels, however, he surrender 19 runs (all earned) with 16 strikeouts en route to an 8.55 ERA.
Oberholtzer had been under club control through 2020, with him not being eligible for arbitration until after the 2017 season. As MLBTradeRumors.com's Steve Adams notes, he can look for a new club on the free agent market this offseason if he goes unclaimed.
