Ben Joyce gets a clean MRI, but Angels still shut him down for the rest of the season

ANAHEIM — The Angels aren’t taking any chances with Ben Joyce.

Joyce said Sunday that the MRI results of his right shoulder were clean, showing just inflammation, but then manager Ron Washington said the team is nonetheless shutting him down for the season.

Joyce could have been activated to pitch in the final week, and that’s what Joyce said his plan was earlier in the week. In the end, the Angels decided to take the conservative route.

“We’re not messing around with that,” Washington said on Sunday. “The MRI is clean. He hasn’t been throwing. We’re not going to force him into action right now. He’s too big moving forward.”

Joyce, who turns 24 on Tuesday, has been one of the best stories in an otherwise disappointing Angels season.

His reputation had been of a pitcher with an electric fastball, but poor command and no reliable secondary pitch.

This season, though, Joyce took his game to a new level because he developed a sinker that averaged 97 mph. Hitters pounded it into the ground, allowing Joyce to get efficient outs and get out of trouble with double plays.

He also turned up the dial even more on his four-seam fastball, averaging 102.1 mph and hitting 105.5 mph with what turned out to be his final pitch of the season. That was the third hardest pitch of the pitch tracking era (since 2008) and the hardest in the majors this season.

Joyce had a 2.08 ERA in 31 games. He became the closer shortly after Carlos Estévez was traded, converting all four of his opportunities and posting a 2.38 ERA 11 games.

The Angels have plenty of work to do this offseason, but they know they have their closer.

“It’s a huge piece,” Washington said. “You always want to know that. Now we’ve just got to put some pieces in that bullpen that can get the ball to the back end. If our starters can continue to progress the way they’ve progressed this year and give us six or seven innings, maybe we might be a team that only has to play six or seven innings because we’ll have a bullpen that can get us three innings at the end.”

ALDEGHERI OUT, SUAREZ IN

The Angels placed left-hander Sam Aldegheri on the injured list because of a blister. Left-hander José Suarez will take his final two turns in the rotation.

Washington said Aldegheri had the blister on his middle finger prior to his last outing, but it was not until Friday’s game that it interfered with his performance. Aldegheri gave up four runs in two innings, walking five.

“It was affecting his command,” Washington said. “Rather than try to push him out there the next two starts, we decided to let that thing heal and give him a break.”

Aldegheri gave up seven earned runs (12 runs) in 13 innings in his three starts. His best start was last week in Texas, when he gave up one run in six innings.

“I thought he was very impressive,” Washington said. “I certainly liked his composure. He’s definitely a command guy. The other night, he didn’t have that, but that what he is. He’s got a bright future.”

Suarez will get another shot at the rotation after pitching seven scoreless innings in his two relief outings since returning from Triple-A. He had an 8.15 ERA when he was sent down in June.

“He has presence now,” Washington said. “His demeanor. He’s really coming out with intent. I wish he would have done it from the beginning, but he got it now, and it’s never too late to get it. I appreciate the way he’s going about his business. I’m looking forward to giving him the ball when his day comes.”

Right-hander Carson Fulmer, who was activated to take Aldegheri’s spot, will replace Suarez in the bullpen.

NOTES

The Angels also promoted outfielder Gustavo Campero for his first time in the majors. Bryce Teodosio was placed on the injured list with a fractured finger. Teodosio fractured the tip of his finger trying to bunt earlier this week in Minnesota, and the Angels initially thought he’d be able to play through it in a few days. Campero, 26, hit .279 with an .864 OPS this season in the minors, at Double-A and Triple-A. “He makes contact,” Washington said. “He can run and he’s tremendous bunter. I hope all of that plays.” …

The Angels designated right-hander Nick Robertson for assignment to open a 40-man roster spot for Campero. Robertson was claimed on waivers last month. He had a 6.92 ERA in 10 games at Salt Lake. …

Christian Moore was in the lineup at DH for the second straight game at Double-A on Sunday, although the game was rained out after he had a hit in his first at-bat. He collected three hits and four RBIs on Saturday. Moore had been out for two weeks because of a knee injury. It’s still possible the Angels could call him up in the final two weeks. If they want to see him play second before calling him up, he could move to Triple-A, since the Double-A regular season ends on Sunday. …

Infielder Jack López, who is from Puerto Rico, wore No. 21 in honor of Roberto Clemente Day on Sunday. …

The Angels will get their first look at the Chicago White Sox this week, followed by a series next week in Chicago. The White Sox came into Sunday with 115 losses. The major league record for losses is 120, set by the 1962 New York Mets.

UP NEXT

White Sox (RHP Jonathan Cannon, 3-10, 4.56) at Angels (LHP Reid Detmers, 4-6, 5.64), at Angel Stadium, 6:38 p.m. PT Monday, Bally Sports West, 830 AM.