Ben Joyce and Anthony Rendon are set to join the injured list.
With the season winding down, two of the Los Angeles Angels’ most famous players will be placed on the injured list.
The Angels announced that third baseman Anthony Rendon and right-handed reliever Ben Joyce will be placed on the 15-day disabled list ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins. The Angels reported Hector Rendon has a “left oblique strain” while Ben Joyce has “right shoulder inflammation.” Rendon’s IL move is retroactive to September 7, while Joyce’s is retroactive to September 8.
The Angels selected infielder Eric Wagaman’s contract and promoted right-handed pitcher Guillo Zuñiga from Triple-A Salt Lake.
These trades may have no influence on the standings, as the Angels are now bottom in the AL West with a 60-84 record. However, Rendon and Joyce remain two of the Angels’ most essential players and are anticipated to play significant roles as the Halos attempt to turn things around next season.
Anthony Rendon’s injury history
Rendon’s career with the Angels has been a total failure since signing a seven-year, two in 2020.
Rendon has infamously suffered with injuries during his time with the Angels. Rendon has yet to play more than 60 games in a single season for the Angels. He played 52 games during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, 58 games in 2021, 47 games in 2022, 43 games in 2023, and 57 games this season.
This past winter, Rendon startled the baseball world by admitting that his baseball career has “never been a priority” for him.
Rendon was one of the best players in baseball during his final full, healthy season with the Nationals in 2019, helping his team win the World Series. He hit.319/.412/.598 with 34 home runs and an MLB-high 126 RBI while being chosen an All-Star, winning the Silver Slugger Award, and finishing third in the National League MVP voting.
Rendon, now 34, is unlikely to be able to replicate that level of production again.
Ben Joyce’s injury outlook
Joyce has been one of the Angels’ only bright spots this season. The 23-year-old rookie flamethrower has a 2.08 ERA in 31 outings and a perfect 4-4 record in save opportunities. Most notably, Joyce made history on September 3 when he struck out Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Tommy Edman with a 105.5 mph fastball, the fastest strikeout pitch recorded since pitch tracking began in 2008 and only 0.3 mph slower than Aroldis Chapman’s 105.8 mph heater from 2010.
Despite being on the disabled list, Joyce is not anticipated to miss much time as he works with shoulder ailments. Joyce is “not concerned” and plans to throw again this season, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.
