Ben Joyce
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2024Ark Angels00000000.0000000.00
2025Ark Angels00000000.0000000.00
MLB Player Data
DateNewsComment
May 14 2025Joyce underwent surgery to repair his right shoulder Wednesday and is expected to miss the rest of the season. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Angels shut down Joyce's throwing program earlier in the month after he reported further discomfort in his shoulder. Rather than waiting to see if more rest would do the trick, the 24-year-old righty opted to go under the knife to address the issue, sacrificing the rest of his season in the process. He'll close the book on 2025 with three earned runs allowed in 4.1 innings and shift his focus toward getting ready for the start of the '26 campaign.
May 9 2025The Angels transferred Joyce (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Angels shut down Joyce's throwing program last week after he reported shoulder discomfort following a round of catch. Now on the 60-day IL, the right-hander won't be eligible for activation until June 10, and it's still unknown how far away he is from throwing again. Shaun Anderson was selected to the active roster from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday to take Joyce's place on the 40-man.
May 2 2025Joyce (shoulder) said Friday that he's no longer throwing but will try again next week, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The fireballing reliever indicated that he has paused his throwing program because he didn't feel right while recently playing catch. Joyce was placed on the injured list April 11, and given his continued shoulder discomfort, he's likely at least a few weeks away from a potential return. Per Fletcher, tests on Joyce's shoulder haven't revealed anything beyond his original diagnosis of inflammation.
May 1 2025Angels manager Ron Washington described Joyce as "moving along, slowly" in his recovery from right shoulder inflammation, per MLB.com. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Joyce has been on the injured list since April 11 due to the shoulder injury. Though the right-hander is technically eligible to be activated, it doesn't appear that he's close to a return. Joyce put up a 6.23 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 4.1 innings prior to getting hurt, but all three of the runs he allowed came in his final appearance before landing on the IL, and he notably experienced diminished velocity in that outing.
Apr 11 2025The Angels placed Joyce (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Joyce is dealing with shoulder inflammation, which likely explains his noted drop in velocity earlier this week. Joyce expressed that he wasn't concerned following his Tuesday outing, in which he allowed one home run and three earned runs during his one inning of work. With Joyce headed to the IL, the Angels have recalled Michael Darrell-Hicks from the minors.
Apr 10 2025Joyce said Wednesday that he's not concerned about the drop in velocity he experienced in his most recent outing Tuesday versus Tampa Bay, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Joyce displayed the lowest in-game velocity of his big-league career on both his sinker and four-seamer in the outing, during which he gave up three runs on four hits in one-third of an inning. However, the right-hander stated one day later that his location was the issue rather than his velocity. Angels manager Ron Washington seemed similarly unconcerned following Joyce's appearance, stating, "He was fine. He's human. Tonight he just didn't have it," per Fletcher. Fantasy managers who roster Joyce certainly hope that the right-hander's velocity is back to normal the next time he takes the mound, but for the time being, it appears the fireballer isn't dealing with any sort of injury.
Apr 9 2025Joyce was charged with a blown save against Tampa Bay on Tuesday, allowing three runs on four hits while retiring just one batter. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Joyce entered the contest in the seventh inning with the Angels ahead 2-0, and by the time he departed the Rays had taken a one-run lead. Joyce served up a Junior Caminero solo homer on his third pitch, and then gave up three more hits -- a single, a double and a triple -- to the next three batters, resulting in two more runs, before finally notching his first out. Notably, Joyce's sinker averaged just 93.5 mph in the outing, while his four-seamer averaged 99.3 mph -- both falling a couple ticks below his season average coming into Tuesday. There's been no indication that the righty is dealing with any sort of injury, but the velocity is worth keeping an eye on in Joyce's next outing.
Feb 11 2025Joyce is unlikely to be the Angels' primary closer with the team's signing of Kenley Jansen (shoulder) on Monday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Angels and Jansen agreed on a one-year, $10 million contract Monday, which DiGiovanna notes will likely give Joyce "another year to grow into [the] closer role." It wouldn't make much sense for Los Angeles to have signed Jansen for any other reason than to serve as the team's primary closer, as he currently sits first among active players -- and fourth all-time -- with 447 regular-season saves. While Jansen may be nearing the end of his storied career, he showed he still has gas left in the tank with his performance for Boston last year, which included a 3.29 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 28.4 percent strikeout rate and 27 saves. It's still likely that Joyce will get an occasional save opportunity, per Sam Blum of The Athletic, but at least for one season it appears he will be an understudy to Jansen, which cuts down Joyce's fantasy appeal in most formats considerably.
Feb 2 2025Joyce is likely to open 2025 as the Angels' closer, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Joyce enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, posting a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB over 34.2 innings across 31 appearances. He worked his way up to a high-leverage role and recorded six holds and four saves over his final 18 appearances. The right-hander certainly has a closer-type stuff -- he recently said that he thinks he can top the 105.5 mph fastball he tossed against the Dodgers last year, per Bollinger -- and it appears he'll have the chance to begin 2025 in that role. The Angels don't have much in the way of closer-type arms to offer Joyce competition, so his biggest obstacle to success may be the shaky control he's demonstrated throughout his pro career.
Sep 15 2024Angels manager Ron Washington confirmed Sunday that Joyce (shoulder) won't return from the 15-day injured list this season, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Joyce's placement on the IL is retroactive to Sept. 7, but the Angels won't rush him back for the final week of the season even though an MRI on his right shoulder returned clean. The hard-throwing right-hander has been diagnosed with an impingement in his right shoulder, but he should be in store for a normal offseason. Barring any high-profile additions to the bullpen this winter, Joyce will likely head into spring training as the favorite to open the 2025 campaign as the Angels' closer. After getting called up from the minors in early June, Joyce produced a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB over 34.2 innings while collecting two wins, eight holds and going 4-for-4 in save opportunities.
Sep 14 2024Joyce was diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement Saturday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Joyce initially landed on the injured list Tuesday due to inflammation in his shoulder; however, his latest diagnosis increases the likelihood that the 23-year-old reliever will be held out for the remainder of the season. His return timeline remains unknown for now.
Sep 10 2024The Angels placed Joyce on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Saturday, with right shoulder inflammation. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It's not clear how long Joyce's shoulder has been bothering him, but he hadn't pitched in a week. Hunter Strickland and/or Roansy Contreras are candidates to pick up save chances while Joyce is out, although manager Ron Washington might not settle on one guy.
Sep 1 2024Joyce allowed a hit and struck out one over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Joyce's scoreless streak is up to seven innings over his last six appearances. In that span, he has three saves, a hold and a win while striking out eight and walking none. The flame-throwing right-hander is up to four saves and eight holds while pitching to a 2.14 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 31:14 K:BB through 33.2 innings in the majors this season.
Aug 29 2024Joyce struck out two and allowed one hit over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save in Thursday's 3-0 win against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Joyce entered with two outs in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded and proceeded to strikeout Spencer Torkelson. Joyce then pitched a clean ninth inning to pick up his third save and second straight one of four or more outs. The 23-year-old gave up five runs in his first three appearances this season but has since been dominant, allowing three runs in his last 25 appearances.
Aug 16 2024Joyce struck out one and allowed one hit over 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the save in Friday's 3-2 win over Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Joyce has collected two saves over his last five appearances, though he's also allowed three runs across five innings in that span. The flamethrower threw all five of his fastballs between 102-104 mph Friday and needed just 14 total pitches (10 strikes) to get his five outs. With a lack of save opportunities, it's tough to tell who has the lead in the Angels' closer committee. Hunter Strickland was initially given a chance to close but blew two saves to begin August, while Joyce (two) and Roansy Contreras (one) have since taken care of business when given the chance. Joyce still needs to work on control -- he has a 2.54 ERA, but his 1.27 WHIP and 24:14 K:BB through 28.1 innings shows he hasn't yet fully harnessed his velocity. Joyce should be a fixture in the late innings over the final six weeks of the season even if he doesn't emerge as a full-time closer.
Aug 4 2024Joyce picked up the save over the Mets on Saturday, hurling 1.1 perfect innings while striking out one batter. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Joyce entered the contest with two outs in the top of the eighth and a runner on third and was able to get Tyrone Taylor to ground out to escape the frame. The right-hander returned for the ninth and retired all three batters he faced, topping things off with a swinging strikeout of J.D. Martinez on a 104 mph fastball to end the game and secure his first save of the campaign. It stands to reason that the dazzling performance will earn Joyce more save opportunities moving forward, especially after Hunter Strickland coughed up multiple runs in the seventh of Saturday's contest to put the Angels behind late. The former has not allowed a run since June 11 against the Diamondbacks.
Aug 2 2024Joyce struck out one and allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless eighth inning to record a hold in Thursday's loss to the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Angels manager Ron Washington indicated last weekend that the right-hander would likely take over the closer role if the team traded Luis Garcia -- who had freshly stepped in for Carlos Estevez -- but Hunter Strickland received his second straight save chance Thursday after Garcia was dealt. Joyce is still viewed as the organization's closer of the future, but Washington doesn't quite feel the 23-year-old is ready for the job, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. Strickland will fill the role for now, but Joyce could soon force his way into the job given he hasn't allowed a run in 17 straight appearances.
Jul 31 2024Joyce is expected to operate as the Angels' closer after the trade of Luis Garcia on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Garcia was labeled the closer while Joyce was named the setup man and closer-in-waiting after the trade of Carlos Estevez over the weekend, and Garcia has now also been dealt. However, manager Ron Washington used Joyce in the eighth inning Tuesday while Hunter Strickland picked up the save, so it remains to be seen if the skipper sticks with the initial plan. Joyce still struggles to control his 101.8-mph fastball at times and has a 4.0 BB/9 this season, but that's an improvement from his first taste of the big leagues last year when he walked nine over 10 innings and had an 8.1 BB/9 at Triple-A. The right-hander has a 2.01 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB in 19 appearances this season.
Jul 28 2024Angels manager Ron Washington said Sunday that Joyce will work as the club's top setup man after the trade of Carlos Estevez, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Luis Garcia will step in as Anaheim's new closer, but he's also a candidate to be traded ahead Tuesday's deadline. If Garcia is dealt, Joyce will then be next in line for saves. The flame-throwing righty is averaging 101.8 mph on his fastball this season and has a 2.33 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 16:20 K:BB across 19.1 innings.
Jul 13 2024Joyce threw a fastball at 104.5 mph against the Mariners on Friday, the fastest pitch in the majors this season, per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Joyce's velocity is well-known -- he's averaging a league-high 101.7 mph on his fastball in 2024. The fireballing righty hit a new level Friday, however, blazing the 104.5 mph offering (which was fouled off) in the seventh inning. Joyce's big arm was offset by control issues during his initial cup of coffee in the majors last year, as he struck out 10 batters but also walked nine over 10 innings. He's shown substantial improvement this season, posting a 13:6 K:BB through 15.1 frames. Joyce has been even better over the past month, tossing 13.1 consecutive scoreless innings during which he's yielded just four hits while posting a 12:5 K:BB.
Jun 16 2024Joyce allowed a hit and a walk over two shutout innings as the opener Sunday. He struck out three while the Angels lost to San Francisco. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Joyce threw 22 of 42 pitches for strikes and also hit a batter during his appearance but managed to keep the Giants off the board. The Angels bullpen went on to allow 13 runs in six innings in the ugly loss. Joyce lowered his ERA to 7.94 with a 5:4 K:BB through 5.2 frames since being promoted from Double-A Rocket City earlier this month. He's thrown 3.2 scoreless innings over his last two outings.
Jun 15 2024Joyce is expected to operate as an opener for Sunday's matchup with the Giants, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Joyce will make his first career major-league start Sunday as the Angels will try to get two innings out of him before going to the bullpen. The right-hander has allowed five runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two batters over 3.2 innings in four appearances with Los Angeles this season. After Joyce serves as the opener, Jose Suarez and Carson Fulmer are considered candidates to handle the bulk role on the mound in the series finale with the Giants.
Jun 6 2024Joyce earned a hold by tossing a scoreless inning while allowing one hit against San Diego on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Joyce was called up from the minors Sunday and was deployed in a high-leverage situation in his first outing with the big club, getting the eighth inning with the Angels up one run. The fireballing reliever immediately got into trouble when Fernando Tatis led off the frame with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch, but Joyce calmed down to retire the next three batters without Tatis advancing further. Joyce didn't notch any strikeouts, but he had his heater working in the outing, reaching 103.3 mph, per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. The right-hander fanned 34 batters over 19 frames in the minors this season and could certainly be a big bullpen asset (and perhaps a future closer) in the majors if he learns to harness his control. In 10 innings with the Angels as a rookie last season, Joyce fanned 10 batters but also issued nine free passes.
Jun 2 2024Joyce was recalled from Double-A Rocket City on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Joyce was unable to earn place on the Halos' Opening Day roster but will join the MLB club early in June. He has a mediocre 4.26 ERA and 5.2 BB/9 at Rocket City this season but has been much better since early May, posting a 1.59 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB over his last 10 appearances and 11.1 innings.