ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Angels made a series of roster transactions ahead of Friday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles that are highlighted by flame-throwing reliever Ben Joyce being moved to the 60-day injured list, rookie reliever Ryan Johnson getting optioned and outfield prospect Matthew Lugo being called up to the big leagues.
Joyce was initially placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 9, with right shoulder inflammation. The pain in Joyce’s shoulder hasn’t gotten worse, but it has yet to improve.
“I don’t know exactly the concern level,” Joyce said. “We’re just kind of evaluating it as we go. At this point, it’s been a month, so even if the throwing program were to come back, it would be another 30 days. So it just made sense right now to get on the 60-day.”
Joyce said that he played light catch on Tuesday, and his shoulder didn’t feel normal, causing him to be shut down from throwing again. He will go under further testing next week and will find out more information then.
As for Johnson, the 2024 second-round pick was optioned to High-A Tri-City. Johnson made the big league roster out of spring training despite having zero minor league experience to his name. The roster move comes as he currently has a 7.36 ERA in 14.2 innings pitched.
“We were searching to see where we can send him to work on the things we need him to work on, and High-A ended up being the best place where we can finagle how we want things done,” manager Ron Washington said.
What the Angels want Johnson to work on is getting left-handed hitters out and how to use his pitches against lefties. Johnson has struggled mightily against lefties this season, as they are hitting .455 with a .909 slugging percentage against Johnson.
Another notable move made was the call-up of Lugo, who is currently the 13th-ranked prospect in the Angels’ farm system. Lugo had an impressive spring training that put him on the radar for a call-up.
After a slow start in Triple-A Salt Lake, Lugo hit .290 over his past seven games to help make the decision for the Angels to call him up, as the Angels placed outfielder Gustavo Campero on the 10-day injured list with left ankle inflammation.
“I feel like my timing is a little bit more on-time with the pitcher,” Lugo said. “I feel like when the season started, I was a little bit more conscious of swing decisions, and that made me a little bit more late on the fastball and the heater. Now I’m just trying to be on time for the heater, and I’ve been seeing the ball very well and recognizing those pitches very well. My swing just takes over after that.”
Lugo said that his parents and younger brother made the trip from Puerto Rico since he got the call late last night and will be in attendance to see his debut this weekend. Washington said Lugo will make his debut either Saturday or Sunday.
The Angels also selected the contract of right-hander Shaun Anderson, who has a 5.06 ERA in seven starts in Triple-A Salt Lake, and signed right-handed reliever Buck Farmer to a minor league contract. Farmer posted a 3.04 ERA in 71 innings last season with the Cincinnati Reds.