Angels Bullpen Spring Notes: Joyce, Stephenson, Sandlin Updates

The Angels roll into spring camp with a bullpen plan built on reclamation projects and smart, short-term signings. They parted ways with Kenley Jansen and shifted Reid Detmers back into the rotation.

Ben Joyce is recovering from shoulder surgery, and a few other health questions hang over the top bullpen arms. Los Angeles is leaning on veterans and bounce-back candidates to steady a group that really needs to show it has enough depth.

This piece digs into the strategy, the health wildcards, and the camp battles that could define the Angels’ relievers as Opening Day gets closer.

Angels’ bullpen plan centers on reclamation projects and one-year signings

The club entered camp focused on getting immediate value without blowing the budget. They added veteran relievers to short-term deals, all at or under $5 million.

The idea is to create a bridge to younger, high-upside arms while managing the health risks that have kept those prospects from breaking through. The signings — Kirby Yates, Drew Pomeranz, Jordan Romano, and Brent Suter — bring some big-league pedigree and late-career steadiness, but each comes with baggage from recent seasons.

• Kirby Yates — Had multiple 30-save seasons at his peak, but comes into camp with diminished stuff and disappointing 2025 results.
• Drew Pomeranz — Veteran depth for multi-inning roles and bullpen flexibility, but durability is still a question mark.
• Jordan Romano — Another former closer with a track record in high-leverage spots, though recent health and form aren’t exactly reassuring.
• Brent Suter — Lefty who fits as a matchup or bridge guy, bringing experience and flexibility to late-inning plans.

The organization feels cautiously optimistic about some of its higher-upside relievers bouncing back from injuries. Ben Joyce can hit 104 mph but had season-ending shoulder surgery in May after just five outings. He threw his first bullpen session on day one of camp.

The Angels don’t know if Joyce will be ready for Opening Day, and his timeline is still a big question mark. GM Perry Minasian said Joyce’s recovery speed will determine any Opening Day plans.

If Joyce can’t go, Robert Stephenson would likely step in as closer. He’s a little behind after missing a big chunk of last year with Tommy John surgery, a biceps nerve issue, and elbow inflammation.

Stephenson also dealt with off-season symptoms similar to thoracic outlet syndrome and got injections instead of surgery. Manager Kurt Suzuki hasn’t named a closer yet, leaning into flexibility because the top candidates all have health questions.

Closer-by-committee questions and camp evaluation

Camp has become a balancing act between trusting veterans’ track records and dealing with the constant injury worries. Yates, Romano, and Suter are expected to handle late-inning duties, but the Angels have to weigh how much they can depend on them early on.

They’re not rushing to name a closer, keeping options open as Joyce, Stephenson, and others show what they’ve got.

The coaches will watch every pitcher’s performance and health signals, ready to shift roles as spring moves along. The hope is to build a bullpen that can handle short stints, multi-inning work, and tough situations—plus give the team a way to plug in new arms from the depth chart if injuries hit.

Non-roster invitee adds an upside angle

Nick Sandlin, a non-roster invitee, joins the competition after undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery last October. He finished last season on the Blue Jays’ injured list, and Toronto non-tendered him soon after.

Now he’s in camp, hoping to win a roster spot if his elbow holds up. Sandlin has a 3.19 ERA over 211 2/3 career innings, and he’s scheduled for his first bullpen session this weekend.

That gives him a legitimate shot to step up, maybe as a late-season contributor or as insurance early on if the top arms aren’t ready. As spring training unfolds, the Angels are leaning on a mix of experienced stabilizers and bounce-back candidates to cover for Detmers and the rotation.

They’re piecing together a bullpen that, hopefully, can carry them through a competitive run in 2025. But honestly, can these reclamation projects really deliver the depth and reliability Los Angeles needs for a playoff push?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Angels Bullpen Notes: Joyce, Stephenson, Sandlin