Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Ben Joyce advanced his recovery from shoulder inflammation on Wednesday by moving his rehab assignment to Triple-A Salt Lake, according to team announcements. Joyce has been sidelined since late August due to right shoulder irritation, missing the final month of the 2024 Major League Baseball season.
Ben Joyce Rehab Assignment and Injury Timeline
Joyce last pitched for the Angels on August 31, 2024, before being placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Prior to the shutdown, the hard-throwing right-hander established himself in the back of the Angels’ bullpen, saving 4 games and posting a 2.08 ERA across 31 appearances in his rookie campaign. According to MLB injury reports, his progression to Triple-A marks the final phase before a potential return to the active major league roster.
Triple-A Salt Lake Roster Integration
During his assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake, medical staff will monitor Joyce’s velocity and recovery between outings. Angels manager Ron Washington noted to team reporters that the organization plans to evaluate Joyce’s workload carefully to prevent a recurrence of the shoulder inflammation. Triple-A pitching coaches are tracking his pitch count and arm recovery closely as he faces advanced minor league hitters.
Impact on the Los Angeles Angels Bullpen
The return of Joyce provides a significant velocity boost for the Angels’ relief corps heading toward the 2025 season. Known for consistently throwing fastballs exceeding 100 mph, Joyce became a high-leverage option for Los Angeles during the summer months. According to team transactions, successfully navigating this minor league rehab assignment remains the final hurdle for the reliever to reclaim his setup role in the majors.
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