Ben Joyce To Get Another Year To Grow Into Closer Role
The Los Angeles Angels signed veteran closer Kenley Jansen on a one-year, $10 million deal on Tuesday, which will give 24-year-old right-hander Ben Joyce another year to grow into the closer role for the Angels. While Jansen will most likely be L.A.'s primary ninth-inning arm, he's also 37 years old and an injury risk, so Joyce's fantasy value could shoot back up quickly if Jansen ends up missing significant time due to an injury in 2025. But there's also no denying the fact that the signing of Jansen puts a huge damper on Joyce's fantasy prospects for the Halos this year. Joyce should still see the occasional save on days where Jansen is being rested, but one of the hardest throwers in the game will now be relegated to a high-leverage setup for the Angels this year.
According to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com, Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitcher Ben Joyce is expected to be the "favorite" to be the team's closer to open the 2025 season. However, Bollinger noted that Joyce has yet to prove he can stay healthy for an entire season, which could open the door for other relievers to earn save opportunities. Bollinger mentioned that Robert Stephenson (elbow) will likely get a few looks when he recovers from his UCL surgery. Joyce pitched 34 2/3 innings of work in the major last summer. After allowing five runs over his first three outings, he held a near-perfect 0.83 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP over his final 32 2/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Joyce's status during spring training but should expect him to open the season as the team's top closer. However, fantasy managers should draft him with caution, given his injury history and the possibility that the Angels continue to ease his workload.
Ben Joyce Has Shoulder Impingement, Could Be Finished For Year
Los Angeles Angels rookie Ben Joyce has a shoulder impingement. His MRI results were not shared at this time. However, we can assume at this time that his season is over. The 23-year-old has two wins, four saves, and a 2.08 ERA and 1.15 WHIP through 34 innings this season. Joyce could be the favorite to close next year for the Angels if they do not seek an upgrade through free agency. Joyce was placed on the injured list on Tuesday, and it would appear that his season is over.
The Los Angeles Angels placed right-handed reliever Ben Joyce (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Sep. 7) on Tuesday and recalled right-hander Guillo Zuniga from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move. The Angels also moved left-hander Matt Moore (forearm) to the 60-day IL. With only a few weeks in the 2024 regular season and with the Halos well out of playoff contention, it would be a surprise if the hard-throwing Joyce returns to the big leagues the rest of the way. The former third-rounder in 2022 out of Tennessee was looking good in his second year in the majors in 2024, going 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP, 33 strikeouts and his first four career saves in 34 2/3 innings pitched. With Joyce now on the shelf, the Angels could employ a committee approach to saves to finish the year among the likes of Hunter Strickland, Roansy Contreras and Jose Quijada.
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Ben Joyce was tasked with taking the ball in the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. The 23-year-old gave up a leadoff single, which is never good news in a one-run game. However, Joyce was able to battle back and get J.P. Crawford to ground into a double play and eliminate the base runners. Joyce struck out Josh Rojas to end the game to give himself four saves on the season. The new Halos closer holds an impressive 2.14 ERA through 30 games this season. Fantasy managers who are desperate for saves should look his way.
Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitching prospect Ben Joyce was promoted to the major leagues in a corresponding move that sent left-hander Reid Detmers to Triple-A Salt Lake. Joyce held a 4.26 ERA and 1.16 WHIP across 19 innings at Double-A earlier this season. Joyce made his major-league debut last season and logged just 10 innings to the tune of a 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, and a 9:10 BB:K. However, the 23-year-old operated exclusively out of the bullpen last season. Joyce, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, owns an explosive triple-digit fastball, but he's had trouble locating it so far in his professional career. He has the makings of a future closer if he can show better command.
Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin said that rookie relief pitcher Ben Joyce (elbow) threw an inning of relief at the team's spring training facilities in Arizona on Aug. 31 and came out of it without any setbacks. "We'll take it slow with him," Nevin said. "He feels great. We'll see how he progresses in the next week or so; there's still games." Joyce experienced numbness and tingling in his right hand during a relief appearance against the Seattle Mariners on June 9 and was put on the 15-day injured list on June 10 and moved to the 60-day IL on July 27. The hard-throwing 22-year-old right-hander still has time to make it back with the Angels this year, but it remains to be seen if he will. In four big-league innings, the rookie allowed two earned runs while walking four and striking out five.
The Los Angeles Angels transferred right-hander Ben Joyce (arm) to the 60-day injured list on Thursday, according to MLB.com. This news won't affect his recovery time, as he's already been out since June 10 with right ulnar neuritis and has yet to start a rehab assignment, but is tossing bullpens. Before his injury, Joyce only pitched four innings, giving up two runs with five strikeouts and four walks. The 22-year-old has potential as a late-inning arm, and when he's back, possibly in August, he could factor into some hold situations.
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Ben Joyce (arm) landed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday. The 22-year-old was yanked from Friday's meeting with the Mariners after experiencing numbness in his hand and forearm caused by ulnar neuritis, so he'll miss at least a few weeks. Joyce has played sparingly for the big club in 2023, amassing a 1-0 record with a 4.50 ERA and five strikeouts in four innings. While he doesn't have much appeal in redraft formats, dynasty managers should keep him on the roster, especially since he has plenty of potential. In a corresponding move, the Angels selected the contract of Gerardo Reyes from Triple-A Salt Lake.
Ben Joyce Likely Going On Injured List With Hand Irritation
Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitcher Ben Joyce (hand) was pulled from Friday's game with the Seattle Mariners after eight pitches during the sixth inning. The 22-year-old revealed after the contest he was feeling numbness and tingling in his hand and forearm. Joyce will be evaluated on Saturday, but he is expected to land on the injured list, per manager Phil Nevin. The flame-throwing rookie has caught a lot eyes with his ability to consistently light up the radar gun at the major-league level. Joyce had given up two runs with five strikeouts through four innings this season. Redraft fantasy managers can probably pull the plug on him for now if they took a speculative flier, unfortunately.
