Angels Have Waited A Long Time For New Closer To Arrive

The Los Angeles Angels have made a lot of changes lately, but one of the biggest ones didn’t happen because of their recent flurry of trades at the deadline. 

Their latest new closer is Ben Joyce, who’s been struggling to get healthy after having shoulder surgery for a torn labrum back in May of last year, but now he’s back and the Halos are happy to have him, according to a piece written by Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. 

Joyce has now thrown four straight scoreless outings, and he’s allowed just a hit and a walk in four innings, according to Bollinger, and in the third game of their four-game set against the Texas Rangers he pitched a scoreless ninth to pickup his first save of the season. It was also just the fifth of his career, and Joyce’s first since Sept. 1, 2024, according to the writer. 

“It felt great,” Joyce said before the series finale yesterday. “It was exciting. I've been working toward that for a while. I was probably not as nervous as my first one, but I definitely had some extra adrenaline getting out there in that situation again, for sure.”

The 25-year old right-hander has elite stuff, and he’s hit 105.5 mph with his fastball. His velocity is still exceptional, according to Bollinger, as he hit 103.4 mph and has averaged 101.3 mph since his return. That’s close to what he was averaging before the surgery, and it’s Mason Miller country, which is rare air indeed. 

“It's been good,” Joyce said. “I feel like I've been in a good groove throwing-wise, and even in between games. Like, kind of figuring out my rhythm in between everything. So, I feel like I'm in a good spot and the stuff is feeling good.”

Mike Trout sees Joyce’s stuff and speed from his perch in center field, and he’s gone up against Joyce in batting practice. He was suitably wowed, as is nearly everyone else who sees Joyce. 

“That's electric stuff,” Trout said. “That sinker and the four-seam at 101 to 103 [mph]. I know it's a tough at-bat. I faced him in live BP in spring. I know what it looks like up there. It’s electric.”

Manager Kurt Suzuki has been working without a net at closer this season, and he noted the hard work Joyce did to get back. 

“Just impressive,” Suzuki said. “And just very happy that he's back. He was like, ‘Man, it's been a while since I got [a save]’ last night. A lot of hard work and time spent rehabbing, and for him to come out and have that outing, and have the last few outings here, it’s been pretty impressive.”

The next step is to try Joyce on back-to-back days, although it’s fair to wonder why the Halos are doing this. The Angels aren’t playing for anything, and Samy Natera Jr. has been having success closing as well, so why not be cautious and use both? Joyce also said he’s still getting feel for his sinker, and he’s under team control through 2029, so keeping him healthy through the rest of the season would be a major accomplishment going forward.