[ThePundit]

Struggling right-hander Ervin Santana was sent to the minors by the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, a day after he was shelled by Tampa Bay and lost his fifth consecutive decision.

Santana fell to 5-11 with a 6.22 ERA in 19 starts.

The 24-year-old Santana has had a meltdown this season -- possibly because of his tinkering with some of his pitches last spring -- after being one of the Angels' most dependable starters. He was 16-8 with a 4.28 ERA last year, his first full season in the majors, and went 12-8 with a 4.65 ERA as a rookie in 2005.

The decision to send him to Triple-A Salt Lake was made after Santana gave up 14 hits and seven runs in six innings of an 8-3 loss to the Devil Rays at Tampa Bay on Tuesday night.

Angels send struggling Santana to minors; activate Napoli - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

Wow. This really surprised me. Wonder if it had anything to do with Bud Black leaving?

[azrael492]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Angels send struggling Santana to minors; activate Napoli - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

Wow. This really surprised me. Wonder if it had anything to do with Bud Black leaving?

If they were tinkering with his mechanics, it could be. A new pitching coach will have his own way of doing things. If he can work them out, he should be a good pitcher. I don't think he will be as promised, but a good MLB pitcher.

[desertrat]

We all know the ability is there, at this point it is a mental problem. Hopefully he'll be able to work through it and regain his prior form.