Injury reports are going to be a staple of this Los Angeles Angels season, especially with the pitching staff. The Angels signed a half-dozen or so wounded pitchers coming off injuries, so it wasn’t exactly surprising that they got a report on a key reliever that wasn’t all that positive.
Relievers Ben Joyce and Robert Stephenson threw their first bullpen sessions as the Angels reported to camp, and the results were mixed, according to Anthony Franco of MLBTradeRumors.com.
Joyce is coming off season-ending surgery last May, and his initial bullpen after reporting was Joyce’s first work off the mound since the operation. It went reasonably well, but the Angels still don’t know if he’s going to be ready for opening day.
“I’d rather him miss two weeks than six months. We’re going to take our time with guys that need it and kind of see where it goes,” Minasian said to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register and other reporters.
That comment doesn’t quite match up with the results of the workout, but the reports on Stephenson were more ominous. He was active for about a month last season after struggling with a nerve issue in his biceps, and the reliever was shut down for the final week of the season due to elbow inflammation.
Stephenson spoke to reporters relayed the news that he’s been experiences symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), which is a narrowing of the nerve canal that often leads to irritation and more serious injuries. The reliever was given an injection, and he opted not to undergo surgery, so it doesn’t appear he’s received a diagnosis of full-blown TOS, according to Franco.
Stephenson also conceded that he’s “a little bit behind everybody” at the moment, but he expressed confidence that he’ll be available for Opening Day. Joyce and Stephenson are two of the Angels’ most viable candidates to close games, but none of this is all that surprising.
As a result, new rookie manager isn’t ready to name his closer.
“I think the benefit for us is we have options and we can be flexible. But in that ninth inning, I wouldn’t put a name out there to be our closer right now,” Suzuki.
Welcome to the Angels version of “Reliever Roulette!” In other bullpen news, Fletcher reported that non-roster invitee Nick Sandlin underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery in October, but the reliever is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session this weekend, which would clear the way for his appearance in Cactus League games.