Bar raised for locals after past year's success

Former Crescenta Valley High standout Trevor Bell made his pitch for a spot in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's rotation during spring training, but was passed over for that role. Apparently there's no room in the Angels' bullpen for the right-hander, either, as Bell was optioned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on Saturday.

Bell began the previous season in Salt Lake and was shuttled back and forth between there and Anaheim, although he did log 34 1/3 total innings in relief over several stints in the big leagues.

This spring, Bell went 0-1 with a 3.72 ERA and five strikeouts to five walks in four appearances. He was solid in his only start, throwing 4 1/3 scoreless innings in a 6-5 win over the Rangers on March 25.

SLATEN CAN'T HANG

ON WITH BUCS

The left-handed relief specialist, who once played at Glendale college, signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in December after severing ties with the Washington Nationals.

Given an opportunity to make the big league club in spring training, Slaten underwhelmed with an 0-1 record and 9.00 ERA over five innings of relief in six games and was reassigned to the club's minor league camp on March 24.

Slaten, who began his career with the Diamondbacks, spent most of last season on the disabled list because of left elbow ulnar neuritis.