AUGUST 7 • MLB.COM
BEN JOYCE #44 - PITCHER - LOS ANGELES ANGELS
2-0 W-L •
1.15 WHIP •
2.08 ERA
2-0 W-L
1.15 WHIP
2.08 ERA
Ben Joyce on how to increase pitch velocity | 08/07/2024 Ben Joyce joins MLB Central to break down his pitching in the Skybox and talks about how he was able to increase his velocity
Hardball with Ben Joyce | 08/07/2024 Ben Joyce answers 10 hardball questions with Lauren Shehadi on MLB Central
AUGUST 7 • MLB.COM
Collects first save Joyce picked up the save over the Mets on Saturday, hurling 1.1 perfect innings while striking out one.
Impact 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. One would think 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.
AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE
'Let it eat': Joyce unleashes historic heater to secure 1st career save ANAHEIM -- Rookie flamethrower Ben Joyce was one strike away from recording his first career save, but there was one problem. He couldn’t he...
AUGUST 4 • MLB.COM
Collects hold, not yet closer Joyce 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.
Impact 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.
AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE
Should work as closer Joyce is expected to operate as the Angels' closer after the trade of Luis Garcia on Tuesday.
Impact 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. Assuming manager Ron Washington sticks with that plan, Joyce should take over as the Halos' primary closer down the stretch. The right-hander 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. Joyce has a 2.01 ERA,1.12 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB in 19 appearances this season.
JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE
Named setup man, closer-in-waiting Angels 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.
Impact 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.
JULY 28 • ROTOWIRE
Hits 104.5 mph Friday Joyce 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.
Impact 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. However, 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 was yielded just four hits while posting a 12:5 K:BB.
JULY 13 • ROTOWIRE
Absolute GAS from Ben Joyce: The fastest pitch of the year! ANAHEIM -- Don’t blink. You might just miss one of Ben Joyce's fastballs. Joyce has been lighting up radar guns yet again this season, inclu...
JULY 13 • MLB.COM
Ben Joyce primed for closing opportunities with Angels Manager Ron Washington says they would use Joyce, who has added an effective sinker, or Luis Garcia in the ninth inning if closer Carlos Est...
JULY 9 • DAILYNEWS.COM
Angels' hard-throwing Ben Joyce ready for chance against Astros Much of the Los Angeles Angels’ struggles this season can be blamed on an inconsistent and ineffective bullpen, but the club hopes the recen...
JUNE 8 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
Optioned to Double-A The Angels optioned Joyce to Double-A Rocket City on Friday.
Impact The hard-throwing reliever held an 8.59 ERA and 6:9 K:BB over 7.1 innings this spring. Joyce could still be a key cog in the Angels' bullpen at some point this season, but he'll work on tightening things up in the minors first.
MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE
Angels put Joyce through 'chaos' to maintain composure PEORIA, Ariz. -- After hard-throwing relief prospect Ben Joyce struggled in his Cactus League debut on Feb. 26, allowing a grand slam after...
MARCH 7 • MLB.COM
Angels use 'chaos' to help Ben Joyce manage pressure Joyce has thrown as hard as 103 mph in the majors, but his issue has been losing his mechanics when he gets ‘amped up’ in game situations
MARCH 7 • DAILYNEWS.COM
Battling control this spring Through two Cactus League appearances this spring, Joyce has given up five earned runs on three hits and five walks while striking out two batters over 1.1 innings.
Impact It's been a struggle for the fireballing reliever early in spring action, as he's had trouble finding the strike zone. In his first game, which came against the Giants on Feb. 26, Joyce served up three walks and a homer to yield four runs while getting just one out. He was able to complete a full inning his next time out but still gave up two walks, two hits and a run. Joyce issued nine walks in 10 innings in his first taste of the majors last year, and he was only slightly better at corralling his command in the minors. The right-hander's ability to throw triple-digit heat has him tabbed as a future closer and gives him a good chance of landing an Opening Day bullpen spot this season, but he'll need to get much better at limiting walks eventually if he's to find substantial big-league success.
MARCH 5 • ROTOWIRE
Picks up hold in return Joyce earned a hold with a scoreless inning against Cleveland on Sunday. He walked one batter and didn't collect any strikeouts.
Impact Joyce was activated from the 60-day IL earlier Sunday after missing three months with an elbow injury. The rookie didn't have pinpoint control in his return to game action -- he threw just seven of 15 pitches for strikes -- but was able to work a scoreless frame around a two-out walk. Joyce is among the organization's top pitching prospects and should get a good look as the non-contending Angels play out the string down the stretch.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Back from 60-day IL Joyce (elbow) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Sunday.
Impact The right-hander has been sidelined since early June by an elbow injury, and he's been cleared to rejoin the Halos after a two-game rehab assignment with Single-A Inland Empire. Joyce is one of the organization's top prospects and allowed two earned runs with a 5:4 K:BB over four frames in his first taste of the big leagues before going down with the injury.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Starts rehab assignment Joyce (elbow) began a rehab assignment with Low-A Inland Empire on Tuesday.
Impact Joyce struck out one in a scoreless inning in his first appearance in nearly three months as he works his way back from ulnar neuritis in his right elbow. Given the long layoff, the hard-throwing right-hander figures to require a handful of rehab appearances before rejoining the Angels' bullpen.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Not throwing from mound Joyce (elbow) has been playing catch but hasn't thrown off a mound recently, MLB.com reports.
Impact Joyce tossed from a mound July 18 while rehabbing in Arizona, his first time doing so since going on the injured list June 10. However, the rookie reliever was pulled back from mound work soon thereafter, and he's again throwing only from flat ground. It's unclear if Joyce has experienced a significant setback, but even if the slowing down in his throwing progression was only precautionary, he's expected to be at least two weeks away from being ready to return to the Angels.
AUGUST 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Moved to 60-day IL Joyce (elbow) was transferred Thursday from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Impact This is a procedural move to clear out a 40-man roster spot following the Angels' trade Wednesday for Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez. Joyce has been out since June 10 and will be sidelined through at least mid-August due to ulnar neuritis in his right elbow.
JULY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Won't throw off mound for 3-4 weeks Joyce (elbow) will continue his rehab in Arizona but isn't expected to be able to pitch off a mound for at least three weeks, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
Impact Joyce recently resumed throwing on flat ground after going on the injured list June 10 due to right ulnar neuritis. Though the rookie reliever appears to be making progress, he won't be rushed in his rehab and isn't slated to see mound work until at least the final week of July. With that timeframe in mind, Joyce is very unlikely to be ready to return to the big-league staff until sometime in August, at the earliest.
JULY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Shohei Ohtani, Zac Gallen highlight Pitching Ninja's filthiest pitches of MLB season
Pitching Ninja returns with his breakdown of the filthiest pitches from the first half of the Major League Baseball season.JUNE 27, 2023
Set to resume throwing Joyce (elbow) is scheduled to play catch Monday on flat ground, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Impact It'll be his first time picking up a baseball since he went on the injured list June 10 due to right ulnar neuritis. Joyce told reporters last week that he no longer has numbness and tingling in his fingers. If all continues to go smoothly, the hard-throwing youngster could be ready to return to the Angels' bullpen sometime in mid-July.
JUNE 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Numbness gone from fingers Joyce (elbow) said Tuesday that he's no longer experiencing numbness and tingling in his fingers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Impact Joyce landed on the injured list earlier this month with a diagnosis of right ulnar neuritis. There is no timeline for his return to the Angels, or when he might pick up a baseball again, but the hard-throwing 22-year-old seems to be responding well to a period of rest and treatment.
JUNE 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Avoids ligament damage Angels manager Phil Nevin said Saturday that an MRI on Joyce's right elbow revealed no ligament damage, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
Impact Joyce was placed on the 15-day IL earlier Saturday with what the Angels labeled as right ulnar neuritis, and that initial diagnosis looks as though it'll hold after the MRI turned up nothing concerning. The power right-hander had pitched to a 4.50 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 5:4 K:BB in four innings over his first five appearances out of the Los Angeles bullpen prior to suffering the injury.
JUNE 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
