Parker worked his way out of a ninth-inning jam, giving up a run but getting the save in LA's 2-1 win over Oakland on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

There was uncertainty surrounding who take the role for the Angels going into the season, but it was Parker who got the call on Friday. He wasn't exactly steady, giving up an RBI single to Jonathan Lucroy before getting Matt Joyce to ground out to end the game. Parker seems to have a handle on the job for the time being, but that could change quickly if he continues to struggle.

Parker is likely to begin the year as the Angels' first option to close games, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

There were rumblings that Cam Bedrosian could overtake the 32-year-old as the Halos' closer to begin the year, but Fletcher expects Parker's tremendous -- albeit unexpected -- success in the role last year to earn him first crack at the job. A committee situation could still be in play, as manager Mike Scioscia was hesitant to acknowledge Parker as his closer last season even when he was being deployed as one down the stretch. The righty's lack of a successful major-league track record should result in a short leash in the event he struggles out of the gate, assuming that he does indeed begin the year as closer.

Parker is currently behind Cam Bedrosian in the Angels' closer depth chart, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

EDGE Analysis

The early reports this spring have indicated that the Angels would use a closer committee, and the team hasn't public stated that Bedrosian has the inside track on the job. Parker finished 2017 with the position and had a 2.54 ERA (compared to Bedrosian's 4.43), so he was the presumptive favorite heading into the season. Still, it's possible the Angels see something they prefer from Bedrosian, who is six years younger than Parker and who put up a 1.12 ERA in 2016. Parker could still see the bulk of the save opportunities if he proves to be the team's best reliever, but if it's true that he's opening the season firmly behind Bedrosian, his ceiling may be lower than what fantasy owners have been paying for thus far this draft season.

Despite finishing the 2017 season as the Angels' primary closer, Parker has not been named to that role to begin spring training, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Angels manager Mike Scioscia seems content to enter the season without anyone named as a primary closer, which would leave Parker competing with the likes of Cam Bedrosian and Jim Johnson for saves. Parker seems to have the best skills of the trio, however, and just because Scioscia wants to start the year with a closer committee doesn't mean he'll maintain one throughout the year. Last year, for example, Bud Norris emerged from a committee to become team's primary closer in mid-April and recorded 18 of the team's next 22 saves. If Parker outperforms his teammates, he could easily earn as many saves as his counterparts on other teams who aren't nominally part of a committee.

Parker signed a one-year, $1.8 million contract with the Angels on Thursday, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The two parties were able to avoid arbitration by striking the deal. Parker, who was claimed off waivers by the Angels prior to last season, finished the year with an impressive 2.54 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 86:16 K:BB across 57.1 innings out of the bullpen. His strong season -- coupled with some injuries to the Angels' bullpen -- saw Parker earn a shot as the team's closer in August. The 32-year-old didn't disappoint, converting seven of his eight save chances while striking out 17 batters in 11.2 frames down the stretch. After his strong finish to the 2017 campaign, Parker should enter camp as the favorite to win the closer role for 2018.

Parker struck out two in a perfect ninth inning against the Mariners on Friday en route to his eighth save of the season.

EDGE Analysis

It was nice to see Parker bounce back after his two-run hiccup against the White Sox on Wednesday. Parker only worked his way into the ninth-inning mix late in the year, but he has been the team's best reliever all season, posting a 2.54 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 86:16 K:BB over 67.1 innings. While roles may remain somewhat fluid in the Angels' bullpen, Parker looks like the reliever to own in Anaheim heading into 2018.

Parker was saddled with the loss after giving up a walkoff, two-run home run in Wednesday's extra-inning loss to the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Parker was forced to enter a tie game after manager Mike Scioscia exhausted the rest of his top bullpen arms following Garrett Richard's abbreviated start. While it wasn't technically a blown save, the end result still left an ugly mark on his fantasy owners' ERAs at a crucial point of the season. This was a rare blemish on the 32-year-old's breakout campaign (2.58 ERA), so expect Parker to bounce back as he has time and time again over the course of the year.

Parker struck out a batter over a scoreless frame for his seventh save of the season in Sunday's win over the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

It was just the 32-year-old's first save since Sept. 15 due to the Angels' six-game losing streak. Parker occassionally gets vultured of save opportunities by his fellow relievers, but his usage in the ninth with all bullpen arms available Sunday confirms his role as the team's closer.

Parker threw two scoreless innings with three strikeouts against the Rangers on Friday en route to his sixth save of the season.

EDGE Analysis

Parker allowed a couple inherited runners to score in the eighth, but he ultimately nailed down the win to put the Angels just a couple games back of the second wild card. The 32-year-old had given up runs in his last two outings and had ceded a save opportunity to Yusmeiro Petit in the second of said appearances, but Parker's been excellent throughout most of the year and still looks to be the favorite for save chances over the remaining weeks.

Parker worked the eighth inning of Sunday's 5-3 victory over the Mariners, allowing a solo homer and striking out three en route to his 15th hold.

EDGE Analysis

Yusmeiro Petit closed out the game to earn his third save. Manager Mike Scioscia explained to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register afterward that he liked Parker there in the eighth with the lefty-loaded top of the order due up. This comes after Parker blew a save in his Sept. 4 appearance. Parker still seems like the favorite for save chances despite these recent developments, but it's clear that Scioscia is still open to mixing and matching and keeping roles fluid at the back end of the bullpen.