The Los Angeles Angels continued to shuffle their bullpen over the weekend, selecting the contract of Gerardo Reyes from Triple-A Salt Lake as the corresponding move to Ben Joyce going on the 15-day injured list with ulnar neuritis.
Joyce, who was selected by the Angels in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft, allowed two runs in four innings pitched over five games. The hard-thrower was a welcome presence in the bullpen due to his average fastball velocity of 101.5 mph — the second-fastest in all of baseball.
Reyes is in his third season with the Angels organization since being acquired from the San Diego Padres during the 2020 season. He boasts an impressive fastball as well that averaged 97 mph in his only two appearances at the Major League level last season.
Angels manager Phil Nevin admitted the team wanted to replace Joyce with another hard thrower and felt Reyes was the best option, via J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
“It’s probably something we’re looking at for sure,” manager Phil Nevin said. “Look at the bullpens we’ve faced a lot this year. I’m not saying you can’t get outs with other stuff, it’s just ― there’s less margin for error (when facing a pitcher with above-average velocity). It’s just been what’s working for us lately.
“At the end of the day (Reyes) has been throwing the best of the relievers down there in Triple-A right now. This was the time to grab him.”
The Angels also considered recalling Jimmy Herget, Chase Silseth, Andrew Wantz and Zack Weiss:
Four other relief pitchers with big league experience this year ― Chase Silseth, Zack Weiss, Jimmy Herget and Andrew Wantz ― are all healthy and on the 40-man roster. They were discussed as potential call-ups too, Nevin said, and the fact that each can only be optioned five times in a season was not a factor.
Reyes had pitched to a 4.64, 1.55 WHIP and 13.5 strikeouts per nine in 19 games with the Bees this season, and his overpowering stuff especially was intriguing to the Angels:
“We just feel he’s a better choice right now,” the manager said.
Reyes made his 2023 debut against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday and allowed one run on two hits in one inning of work. In parts of three MLB seasons, he owns a perfect 4-0 record, 7.45 ERA, 4.24 FIP, 1.48 WHIP and 11.8 strikeouts per nine across 30 games.
Angels roster moves
In order to make room for Reyes on the 40-man roster, the Angels transferred Max Stassi to the 60-day IL. The team also activated Hunter Renfroe off the paternity list and optioned Jo Adell to Triple-A Salt Lake.
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