- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,149,813
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
With Opening Day 2026 right around the corner on March 26, the Los Angeles Angels still have some big roster decisions to make over the next few days. One of those decisions will be figuring out who can close for Los Angeles this season.
Angels manager Kurt Suzuki told reporters that the team is still deciding whether to select one primary closer or use a group of high-leverage relievers to take turns closing.
“It’s still ongoing,” Suzuki said, per MLB’s Rhett Bollinger. “We still haven’t decided if we’re gonna name one or just use the three high-leverage guys and mix and match.”
Who Are Some Potential Closers For the Angels?
One of the top candidates to be the Angels’ primary closer this season was right-hander Robert Stephenson. But now, there is concern with Stephenson’s UCL, and he will start the season on the injured list.
Stephenson has only made 12 appearances since signing a three-year, $33 million contract with the Angels in January 2024. He had internal brace surgery on his UCL in May 2024 and missed the entire season. He made his debut with the Angels on May 28, 2025 but then went down with a bicep injury for nearly three months.
You must be registered for see images attach
May 30, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Robert Stephenson (24) is looked at by a trainer after being injured during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Without Stephenson as an option, the Angels could reportedly consider veterans like Kirby Yates, Jordan Romano or Drew Pomeranz. Ben Joyce is another option but he is still recovering from shoulder surgery he underwent in May.
Romano and Yates have the most closing experience of the group with 133 and 98 career saves, respectively. Both pitchers struggled during the 2025 season but have had promising performances in spring training.
Pomeranz and Joyce have little to no closing experience. Pomeranz has recorded just 10 career saves and spent four years away from MLB between the 2021 and 2025 seasons. Meanwhile, Joyce is going into his fourth MLB season with only 23 career appearances and no career saves.
It seems likely the Angels will utilize a group of high-leverage relievers as closers to start the season before deciding which pitcher should be the main closer.
Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Continue reading...
