MIAMI — In normal times, you wouldn’t want to have a pitcher make his major-league debut to protect a two-run lead in the seventh inning against the middle of the order.
But these are not normal times for the Angels.
The Angels’ bullpen has been stripped to the studs from the spring training depth chart. In the past 10 days, they traded away Ryan Zeferjahn, Chase Silseth, Kirby Yates and Brent Suter and placed Sam Bachman on the injured list.
Earlier in the season, they released Jordan Romano and Drew Pomeranz. And Robert Stephenson – remember him? – never made it
out of spring training before needing Tommy John surgery.
The Angels’ only active reliever with any meaningful amount of big-league, high-leverage experience is Ben Joyce, who just came back from a 16-month rehab from shoulder surgery. He still isn’t available to pitch back-to-back days.
“It’s kind of where we are right now,” manager Kurt Suzuki said. “Joyce and (Samy Natera Jr.) will pitch the back end. That’s what we know for sure. But the other guys, you gotta be ready whenever. I feel they’ve embraced that. They’ve taken it and they’ve been ready.”
At some point, perhaps in the next week or two, Joyce will be the closer. He has the stuff – highlighted by a 103-mph fastball – and the demeanor. For now, though, the Angels want to bring him back cautiously. He pitched when the Angels were trailing Wednesday, and he worked the eighth with a lead Friday.
He wasn’t available Saturday, as they weigh when to ease the restrictions.
“We’re kind of evaluating that right now,” Suzuki said Saturday. “I talked to him today. He feels great. He is down today. But he feels great, so I think that’s a good sign.”
With Joyce out, that means Natera is at the top of the bullpen depth chart. He’s pitched 21 games in the big leagues in two months, with a 2.16 ERA. So far he’s converted both of his save opportunities.
“I’m super grateful for the opportunity to get the last outs,” Natera said.
Brett Kerry, who has been a starter, seems to be the long man. Otherwise, left-handers Tayler Saucedo and Weiman and right-handers Luke Murphy, Shaun Anderson and José Fermin need to be ready for anything.
Weiman said he was excited to be thrown into a high-leverage spot for his debut Friday. He worked a scoreless inning.
“I couldn’t have written it up any better,” he said. “I love those situations. I’m built for them. I’m glad I got to prove myself in that environment. I’m thankful it worked out the way it did.”
The Angels are also expecting a new arm when right-hander Ryan Watson reports. He was a Rule 5 pick of the Boston Red Sox, and the Angels claimed him on waivers. Once he reports, the Angels will have to keep him on the major-league roster. The Red Sox used Watson when they were losing or ahead by at least four runs in 34 of his 35 appearances. He pitched in multiple innings 19 times. He had a 4.53 ERA.
GUZMAN RETURNS
Denzer Guzman returned to the lineup at third base Saturday, after being out for three straight days.
“Just to give Guzzy a few days, and he got some good work in,” Suzuki said. “I know he’s been working on some stuff in the cage with the hitting guys with his swing.”
Guzman, 22, was hitting .231 with a .645 OPS. He had a .452 OPS over his last 44 plate appearances.
“It’s a process,” Suzuki said. “I think it’s going at a nice pace. He’s obviously young. The consistency is what we always look for. He’s learning a lot of new things. He’s a very smart guy. Sometimes it can be overwhelming in the big leagues, getting a lot of information to help get better. I think I really like where Guzzy is at right now.”
NOTES
Catcher Tyler Heineman had some words for the Marlins’ dugout when they were calling for a review after the final out at the plate to end Friday’s game. Heineman said Saturday that he had a talk with Marlins manager Clayton McCullough to explain that he was caught up in the heat of the moment and meant no disrespect. …
Moisés Ballesteros is scheduled to catch Grayson Rodriguez on Sunday, with Mike Trout at designated hitter. It will be Ballesteros’ second game behind the plate with the Angels. …
Outfielder Josh Lowe has a .720 OPS in 28 games since returning from Triple-A. His career OPS coming into this season was .721.
UP NEXT
Angels (RHP Grayson Rodriguez, 3-4, 7.24) at Marlins (RHP Ryan Gusto, 0-3, 4.80), 10:40 a.m. PT Sunday, ABTV, 830 AM