ANAHEIM -- The Angels will have a new closer in 2026 after veteran Kenley Jansen opted to sign with the Tigers as a free agent in mid-December. Jansen, who signed with the Angels on a one-year deal worth $10 million early in Spring Training last year, will be tough to replace after he put up strong numbers in ’25. Jansen, 38, posted a 2.59 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 59 innings while going 29-for-30 in save opportunities. The Angels didn’t go out and sign or trade for a traditional closer this offseason, although they did sign veterans Kirby Yates and Jordan Romano to one-year deals. Yates and Romano are both coming off rough seasons but could find themselves in the mix to close at some point this season given their career track records. Here’s a look at the club’s current internal options to close at some point this season: RHP Robert Stephenson Stephenson has had trouble staying on the field with the Angels since signing a three-year deal worth $33 million prior to the 2024 season. He missed all of 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery and was limited to just 12 appearances last year after dealing with both a stretched nerve in his right biceps and right elbow inflammation. But the good news is that Stephenson is expected to be healthy and ready for Spring Training and has pitched well when he’s been able to take the mound. He had a 2.70 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 10 innings last year and a 3.10 ERA with 77 strikeouts and 16 walks in 52 1/3 innings with the Pirates and Rays in '23. Stephenson doesn’t have much closing experience, with just three career saves, but he could find himself as an option there if he can stay healthy and effective. Because of his time missed with injuries, the Angels hold a team option for just $2.5 million in '27. So he could also become a trade asset if he’s pitching well and the club is out of it at the Trade Deadline. |
RHP Ben Joyce Like Stephenson, Joyce has also been plagued by injury concerns the last two seasons, but he has been a weapon when healthy. The flamethrower had a 2.08 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings on '24 but threw just 4 1/3 innings last year, giving up three earned runs on five hits with one strikeout. The 25-year-old underwent shoulder surgery in May and the Angels believe he’ll be ready to return at some point early in the season. Joyce closed during the ’24 season, registering four saves, and he was nearly unhittable over his final 28 outings with a 0.83 ERA and his fastball reaching as high as 105.5 mph. Coming back from shoulder surgery can be tricky, but he has a chance to close if he can regain his form and stay healthy. RHP Kirby Yates Yates is coming off a down year with the Dodgers, as he had a 5.23 ERA with 52 strikeouts, 17 walks and nine homers allowed in 41 1/3 innings. But the 38-year-old was lights out with the Rangers in ’24, posting a 1.17 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings and has a career 3.36 ERA in 11 seasons in the Majors. Yates will also be reunited with pitching coach Mike Maddux, who helped Yates during the ’23 season with Texas. He also racked up 33 saves that year and has 98 career saves, so he has plenty of experience. Yates just has to prove that last year was an anomaly and that he still has something left in the tank. |
RHP Jordan Romano Romano was a premier closer with the Blue Jays from 2021-23, posting a 2.37 ERA with 230 strikeouts in 186 innings to go along with 95 saves. He was an All-Star in both ’22 and ’23 but was limited to 13 2/3 innings in ’24 because of right elbow inflammation. He hoped to bounce back with the Phillies last year but went on to carry an 8.23 ERA with 47 strikeouts, 17 walks and 10 homers allowed in 42 2/3 innings. The 32-year-old is again looking to bounce back and still has elite extension and a fastball that averaged 95.5 mph last year. He has plenty to prove after two rough seasons in a row, but he’s not too far removed from being an All-Star closer. LHP Drew Pomeranz Pomeranz, 37, has just 10 career saves in 12 seasons in the big leagues, but he is coming off a solid season in relief with the Cubs, as he had a 2.17 ERA with 57 strikeouts and 15 walks in 49 2/3 innings. As a former starter, Pomeranz didn’t have huge splits and was fairly effective against right-handed hitters. It was Pomeranz’s first season in the big leagues since 2021, however, as he’s dealt with his fair share of injuries over the years. He has to prove he can stay healthy, but given his numbers last year, he could close at some point ’26. |
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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Who has the most 40-save seasons in club history? A. Huston Street B. Troy Percival C. Francisco Rodríguez D. Bryan Harvey |
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ANGELS GET SANDRIDGE IN TRADE WITH YANKS |
The Angels swung a trade on Friday, acquiring lefty reliever Jayvien Sandridge from the Yankees for cash considerations. Sandridge, 26, made his Major League debut last season, allowing two runs with two strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning on July 5. He also had a 4.66 ERA with 54 strikeouts and 19 walks in 36 2/3 innings across three levels in the Minors in 2025, including 31 2/3 frames at Triple-A. He's the second reliever to go from the Yankees to the Angels this week, as they also claimed veteran right-hander Kaleb Ort on waivers from New York on Wednesday. Ort, 33, has a career 5.00 ERA with 126 strikeouts and 56 walks in 122 1/3 innings over five years in the Majors To make room for the two relievers, right-hander Osvaldo Bido and outfielder Wade Meckler were designated for assignment. |
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C. Rodríguez, with four such seasons |
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