The Los Angeles Angels are designating pitcher Joey Lucchesi for assignment, according to the team, and the corresponding move is bringing up right-hander George Klassen. Joey Lucchesi has spent eight years in Major League Baseball, making his debut with the San Diego Padres in 2018, and also pitching for the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants.
This season with the Angels, Lucchesi made three appearances, all out of the bullpen, and surrendered two earned runs in 2.1 innings, but his four walks in that sample size were likely the deciding factor in his removal from the pitching staff. The Angels are 4-5 to start the season, and are currently taking on the Seattle Mariners in a three-game series.
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Joey Lucchesi’s MLB Career
GettyST LOUIS, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 6: Joey Lucchesi #57 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium on September 6, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jeff Le/Getty Images)
Joey Lucchesi has a career 4.09 ERA in 435.1 total innings pitched. He broke into MLB as a starter and had consecutive seasons in 2018 and 2019, making 26+ starts. However, since then, he hasn’t made more than 10 starts in a season.
In 2025, he was servicable enough for the Giants before they released him, posting a 3.76 ERA over 38.1 innings pitched. Perhaps his best sample size in MLB came with the Mets in 2023, where Lucchesi made nine strong starts, but could not finish out the season with the club due to injury.
Injuries have been a big part of the southpaw’s career, and could be his ultimate demise in MLB. The 32-year-old doesn’t have overpowering stuff, and if control is an issue, that doesn’t help his cause.
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 12: Joey Lucchesi #57 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning at Oracle Park on September 12, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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Joey Lucchesi DFA’d; George Klassen Makes MLB Debut
The Joey Lucchesi news means Angels fans will get a glimpse of an exciting new arm in the form fo George Klassen.
Here is what CBSSports had to say about Klassen’s journey and potential:
“The 24-year-old missed out on the Halos’ Opening Day rotation despite a strong showing during spring training, but he’ll now make his MLB debut Sunday after scheduled starter Ryan Johnson (illness) was a late scratch. Klassen gave up one run with five strikeouts over 4.2 frames during his lone start for Salt Lake this year and struggled at the Double-A level in 2025 with a 5.35 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 126:46 K:BB across 102.2 innings.”
Klassen is a 6-2 righty out of the University of Minnesota. Originally drafted by the Phillies, Klassen joined the Halos’ organization in 2024 and has swiftly made it through their pipeline.
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