SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels are grappling with a serious blow to their pitching lineup, as hard-throwing reliever Ben Joyce will miss the remainder of the season following right shoulder surgery. The team confirmed the decision on Wednesday, indicating that Joyce’s recovery journey will be a lengthy one.
Joyce had previously been sidelined about a month ago due to shoulder inflammation and has faced a series of injuries throughout his career. Details regarding the surgery remain private, yet his potential is undeniable: standing at 6 feet 5 inches, he is capable of delivering explosive fastballs that can clock in at 105 mph when in peak condition.
This has been a particularly tough year for Joyce, who entered 2023 in his third season with the Angels after making his major league debut two years ago. After establishing himself as a dependable setup pitcher last season—where he made 31 appearances and posted a strong 2.08 ERA—Joyce has only managed five outings this year before being sidelined again due to dwindling pitch speed. Just last week, the Angels took the cautious step of placing him on the 60-day injured list, highlighting the gravity of his condition.
Notably, Joyce impressed last September with a remarkable 105.5 mph fastball against the Dodgers’ Tommy Edman, marking it as the third-fastest pitch recorded in the majors since 2008. Ironically, shortly after this noteworthy performance, he was placed on the injured list the following week.
To date, Joyce has participated in 48 games for the Angels, recording a 4-1 win-loss record, a 3.12 ERA, and a 1.31 WHIP. His path has been fraught with difficulties; during his time at the University of Tennessee, he underwent Tommy John surgery and dealt with a stress fracture in his elbow that led to a season-long hiatus at junior college. Yet, upon his return to the mound, he consistently displayed his exceptional fastball.
With the season advancing, the Angels need to reassess their bullpen strategies while Joyce’s career trajectory remains uncertain as he navigates yet another recovery period.
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