There is little margin for error in Major League Baseball. And perhaps even less so when a team is already trying to float down a rocky river. For the Los Angeles Angels, a franchise in desperate need of prolonged success, the 2025 season has been an uphill climb from the beginning. And now, a blow to their already shaky pitching staff has their manager publicly signaling for help. Ron Washington has made a plea that underscores the severity of the Angels’ current state.

The Halos held a challenging 20-25 record as of mid-May, placing them in fifth place in the AL West, six games behind the division leaders. Their pitching has been a huge sore spot, with a team ERA of 5.02 ranking them 25th in MLB. The bullpen, however, has been the epicenter of their woes, sporting a league-worst ERA hovering between 6.97 and 7.17.

They’ve also allowed the most home runs in the AL (28 as of mid-May). Even a longtime closer, Kenley Jansen, hasn’t been immune (6.55 ERA in 13 games). And that bleak picture got even darker this week with the revelation that flamethrower Ben Joyce will miss the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

This devastating update on Joyce prompted a candid response from Angels skipper Ron Washington. “Well, we got this far without him, so we’re going to have to figure it out,” Washington stated, acknowledging the immediate challenge. However, he quickly followed with a clear message to the front office: “Hopefully, the people up top that make the decisions continue to look around and get us some help.” This wasn’t just a manager’s hope; it sounded like an urgent plea.

Washington’s concern is reasonable when you consider Joyce’s high potential. In 2024, Joyce was a revelation, recording a 0.83 ERA in his final 28 outings and a 2.08 ERA overall. His fastball, which reached an eye-popping 105.5 mph and averaged an MLB-best 102.1 mph, made him a truly unique weapon. Unfortunately, injuries have plagued him. After missing time in 2023 and late 2024 with shoulder issues, he landed on the IL again in early April 2025.

The news hit Joyce’s teammates hard as well. Catcher Logan O’Hoppe, reportedly Joyce’s roommate, expressed the clubhouse sentiment: “It sucks… He takes care of his body better than anybody… He cares more than anybody in this room. So to see that happen is pretty heartbreaking…” This adds another layer to an already difficult situation for the team’s morale.

Angels’ bullpen: Internal solutions & current state

The Angels will now check out internal candidates as they await Joyce’s return. Reliever Robert Stephenson (recovering from Tommy John surgery) and Sam Bachman (thoracic outlet syndrome) are on rehab assignments. Newly acquired Héctor Neris has been effective as a specialist.

Externally, given their struggles, the Angels might lean towards selling at the trade deadline. The closer Kenley Jansen, on a one-year contract, and the starter Tyler Anderson could be valuable trade chips. Jorge Soler has also been mentioned as another potential trade piece. Owner Arte Moreno has shown a willingness to increase payroll. But dealing with massive contracts for Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon makes it tough to add significant mid-season arms.

The injury troubles aren’t limited to the bullpen. Superstar Mike Trout is on the injured list with a left knee injury, but no clear timetable for his return. The veteran Anthony Rendon is sidelined for the rest of the season following hip surgery. Rule 5 pick Garrett McDaniels is also unavailable, adding another layer to the roster puzzle. These absences significantly weaken the Angels on multiple fronts, compounding their pitching issues.

The loss of Ben Joyce is a bitter pill for a Los Angeles Angels team already facing a mountain of challenges. Their bullpen is in crisis, and key players are sidelined across the roster. But in the midst of all that gloom was an early-May three-game sweep of the mighty Dodgers that provided a glimpse of what this team could be. Now the question is – what will the front office do in the wake of their manager’s urgent plea, and can the Halos find a way to salvage their season? What moves, if any, do you think the Angels should make?