The southpaw fanned nine Astros in a dominant audition for contending suitors, signaling a sharp return to form just as trade deadline rumors reach a fever pitch.
In Tuesday night’s 3-2 loss to the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels fans could have watched the final inning pitched by left-hander Reid Detmers in a Halos uniform. With the trade deadline just days away, Detmers continued to show off why he is one of the most highly touted names at the deadline.
Facing up against the division rival Astros at home, Detmers tossed five innings in which he allowed four hits, one walk, two earned runs, and punched out nine batters. Getting it done with his fastball, curveball, and slider, Detmers was in full control against the Stros last night.
After a down stretch from the end of June until his first couple of starts in July, the 27-year-old has once again found his form, allowing just three runs in his last 16 ⅓ innings. In that time, he’s struck out 22 batters and allowed just 13 baserunners.
It remains no mystery why the southpaw is one of the most sought-after starters at this year’s deadline, with teams all over the league interested in his services. Recently, Detmers has been linked to the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox, both of which need starting pitching as they continue their push for the postseason.
Other teams across the league, such as the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers, may also be late additions to the Detmers sweepstakes if they find themselves losing the battle for fellow left-hander Tarik Skubal.
However the Skubal situation plays out, it is becoming increasingly more likely that Detmers has thrown his final pitch for the Angels – and the way he went out was as fitting as it gets.
Detmers was the 10th overall selection in the 2020 draft by the Halos, making just 14 minor league starts before his major league debut in 2021. His first couple of full seasons in the MLB brought with them a lot of hope for the young lefty, especially after throwing a no-hitter back in early 2022.
2024 brought some challenges, however, and he was sent back down to the minor leagues to find his rhythm again. He returned to the major league roster for the 2025 campaign, but in a bullpen role. Still, he never complained and grinded out the year in the bullpen, recording a sub-4.00 ERA, earning himself a spot back in the rotation for 2026.
In 22 starts this season, Detmers has posted a 4.03 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 125 innings. He has recorded his highest strikeouts/walks ratio, walks per nine innings, and lowest hits per nine innings this year for the Angels.
Despite some hardships and injury issues along the way, Detmers was the ultimate professional, coming back every time with no complaints or attitude. His persistence is a major reason why he will be one of the most called-about names at the deadline.
Whether or not he plays another game in an Angels uniform is ultimately up to owner Arte Moreno, who seems to be slightly more willing to part ways with controllable players than in years past. If Tuesday was the last time, however, he went out with a symbolic performance that'll leave a good taste in the mouths of Angels fans.
