Injured reliever Ryan Madson released by Angels [Updated]

Veteran reliever Ryan Madson, who had so many setbacks in his recovery from Tommy John surgery that he was unable to pitch this season, was released by the Angels on Monday.

The Angels signed Madson to a one-year, $3.5-million contract with incentives that could have pushed the deal to $7 million, but the closest the 32-year-old right-hander got to returning was a one-inning stint for Class-A Inland Empire on May 13.

Madson, who has been in Arizona rehabilitating his arm for the last three weeks, last pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2011, going 4-2 with a 2.37 earned-run average and 32 saves in 62 games.

He signed a one-year, $8.5-million deal with Cincinnati in 2012 but injured his elbow in spring training and underwent surgery in April of that year.

Madson’s contract with the Angels called for him to make $50,000 each for one, 45, 90, 135 and 180 days on the active roster and $25,000 each for 35, 40, 45 and 50 games finished.

[UPDATE, 8:51 p.m.: Angels General Manager Jerry Dipoto commented on Madson’s release:

“We signed Ryan with the belief that he would return to the mound and positively impact our team,” Dipoto said. “It became increasingly more apparent to us that he was not going to pitch for the Angels this season.

“Our medical team has spent much time, effort and resources in the effort to facilitate a healthy return. It’s been a long and difficult process for all involved. I spoke to Ryan earlier today and informed him of our decision. This was an upside gamble that I deemed worth the risk, and unfortunately it did not transpire for either Ryan or the club.”]

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