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The Halos Could Get 2 Bullpen Arms Back in Mid-September

Originally posted on Los Angeles Angels on SI
By Jason Fray | Last updated 8/26/23

With a little more than a month left in the regular season, the Angels are clinging onto dear life when it comes to the Wild Card race.

Only Chicago, Kansas City, and Oakland have allowed more runs than the Halos this year within the American League. In terms of the entire Major League landscape, LA sits No. 24 overall in staff ERA (4.65) as of the 22nd.

Fortunately for the Halos, help does appear to be on the way.

According to The Orange County Register, right-handed hurlers Ben Joyce and Sam Bachman could be returning to action by mid-September.

According to manager Phil Nevin, this "best-case scenario" comes on the heels of both reportedly pitching off a mound in Arizona. However, as the report indicates, neither has faced live hitting as of yet.

Bachman has been dealing with right shoulder inflammation. His last appearance came July 3rd at San Diego. In 11 appearances this year, the 23-year old has a 3.18 ERA in 17.0 IP.

Joyce has been beset by a diagnosis called ulnar neuritis. The 22-year-old last pitched June 9th versus the Mariners. On the year, he has thrown a total of 4.0 IP in five appearances (with a 4.50 ERA).

The hype for both pitchers is real. Bachman was taken 9th Overall in the 2021 MLB Draft. After being fast-tracked through the Angels' system, he showed some real promise before suffering the shoulder ailment.

The same can be said for Joyce -- a guy with a very live arm. Routinely touching 100 miles-per-hour with his fastball, he was long considered a prized asset within the Angels' farm system.

With the recent news involving Shohei Ohtani, the morale for the Halos is at an all time low, but a small boost from Joyce and Bachman would certainly help the clubhouse at least a little.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Angels on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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