The Angels were dealt a huge blow on Wednesday, when they announced flamethrowing reliever Ben Joyce underwent right shoulder surgery and will miss the rest of the 2025 season. Joyce, 24, was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 9 with right shoulder inflammation and tried to play catch a few times, but he never felt right and was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 9. It’s yet another injury for Joyce -- whose fastball has reached 105.5 mph -- as he missed time with ulnar neuritis in ’23 and right shoulder inflammation last year. Joyce was the club’s top setup reliever before getting injured, and he was coming off a dominant season that saw him post a 0.83 ERA over his final 28 appearances in '24. He opened up this season with four straight outings without allowing an earned run before giving up three runs while recording one out with lower velocity against the Rays on April 8. The nature of his surgery is unclear, as the Angels declined to give specifics, citing player privacy. Manager Ron Washington said he’s also not sure if Joyce will be ready for Spring Training next year. Without Joyce, the Angels will need other relievers to step up in a beleaguered bullpen that has posted an MLB-high 6.97 ERA. Relievers Robert Stephenson (Tommy John surgery) and Sam Bachman (thoracic outlet syndrome) both started rehab assignments recently, which should help, but Washington would like the club to look outside the organization for reinforcements. “We’re going to have to figure it out,” Washington said. “Hopefully, the people up top that make the decisions continue to look around and get us some help. I know we’re supposed to get Stephenson back at some point this year, but it’d be nice if they can find us some more help.” |
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Stephenson, who signed a three-year deal worth $33 million before the ’24 season only to undergo Tommy John surgery last April, began his rehab assignment with Single-A Inland Empire on Tuesday. But it’s expected to be a lengthy buildup and could take close to the 30-day maximum for a rehab assignment. Stephenson, though, should provide a boost when healthy, as he had a 3.10 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings in '23. Bachman, the club’s first-round pick in the 2021 Draft, has been injury-prone in recent years and sustained another injury in Spring Training. But he began his rehab assignment with Inland Empire on May 6 and was moved up to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday. The good news is his fastball is up to 98 mph, and he has yet to allow an earned run in three innings. But he’s also likely a few weeks away as well. Otherwise, the Angels did sign a few veteran relievers to Minor League deals this month: right-handers Hunter Strickland and Buck Farmer and lefty Andrew Vasquez. |
Strickland, a 10-year veteran, was solid with the Angels last year, posting a 3.31 ERA in 73 1/3 innings. The 36-year-old has made two appearances with Triple-A Salt Lake after he was released by the Rangers on May 5. Farmer, an 11-year veteran, is also coming off a strong season with the Reds, posting a 3.04 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 71 innings. The 34-year-old was released by the Braves in mid-April before signing with the Angels on May 6. He’s also made two outings with Salt Lake. Vasquez, 31, has pitched in parts of five seasons in the Majors, but the last time was in '23, when he had a 3.35 ERA in 48 1/3 innings with the Phillies and Tigers. The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., native pitched at Detroit’s Triple-A affiliate last year and was promoted to Salt Lake on Wednesday after initially pitching in the Arizona Complex League. The Angels will continue to monitor the waiver wire and look for veterans who can help solidify the bullpen. Ryan Zeferjahn is now the club’s top setup reliever for closer Kenley Jansen, and they’re looking for more options to bridge that gap. Veteran Héctor Neris has emerged as a top option after four straight scoreless outings, but the Angels will need more relievers to step up in the absence of Joyce. |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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TROUT, KLASSEN BOTH MAKING PROGRESS |
Superstar Mike Trout, who has been out since April 30 with a bone bruise in his left knee, participated in baseball activities on the field in San Diego on Wednesday, playing catch. He also progressed to running on a treadmill, hitting in the cages and doing agility drills. Running on the field will be his next step, but Trout is getting closer to a return. Right-handed pitching prospect George Klassen, meanwhile, was hit in the head by a line drive while pitching with Double-A Rocket City on Sunday and was placed on the 7-day concussion list. Klassen, 23, was released from the hospital earlier this week, and his condition has been improving. Klassen, ranked as the club’s No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline, has posted a 4.97 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 29 innings this season. |
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Who is the only Angels player to win a batting title? A. Rod Carew B. Vladimir Guerrero C. Alex Johnson D. Mike Trout |
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ANGELS PARTNER WITH FOX 11 PLUS (KCOP CHANNEL 13) FOR 12 SUNDAY SIMULCASTS |
The Angels, along with FanDuel Sports Network, announced a partnership with FOX 11 Plus (KCOP Channel 13) to simulcast 12 games on over-the-air television this season. It’ll allow fans to watch select Sunday games for free in the greater Los Angeles television market. It mirrors the broadcast from FanDuel Sports Network and also includes both the pregame and postgame shows. It begins this Sunday with their game against the Dodgers, and the full schedule can be found here. |
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C. Johnson, in 1970, when he hit .3289 to just edge out Carl Yastrzemski’s .3286. |
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