The Los Angeles Angels had a positive development with a key piece to their bullpen, which currently ranks fifth in all of Major League Baseball.
Holding a 3.36 ERA among relievers, the Angels have formed one of the most formidable units in MLB, which is a breath of fresh air from where they’ve been in recent seasons. Manager Phil Nevin has leaned on a number of new faces, including that of left-hander Matt Moore, who’s been out since May 23.
Pitching to the tune of a 1.44 ERA, Moore joined the Angels on a one-year deal this past offseason. According to J.P. Hoornstra of the O.C. Register, he took another step forward in recent days:
Left-hander Matt Moore (oblique) threw from flat ground for the second straight day. … Moore and right-hander Ben Joyce (right ulnar neuritis) will both travel with the Angels on their road trip, Nevin said.
Moore’s 3.73 FIP and .155 batting average allowed made him one of Nevin’s most trusted options at the backend. His initial stay on the injured list was retroactive to May 25, but with obliques being as tricky as they are, the Angels aren’t rushing him back to action.
Ben Joyce on the other hand is a different case, after feeling a ‘tingling’ sensation in his right hand. MRI results showed no structural damage in his right elbow, a best-case scenario for the rookie reliever.
His traveling with the team is a huge sign that he could begin to work his way back to game action.
Angels signed Daniel Murphy
The Angels added another veteran to their Minor League ranks this week, signing Daniel Murphy to join the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees.
Murphy, a 12-year veteran of Major League Baseball, had been playing with the Long Island Ducks of the Independent Atlantic League this season. The 38-year-old had been hitting .331/.410/.451 with two home runs, nine doubles and 19 RBI through 37 games with the Ducks.
The left-handed hitter has played 1,452 career games at the Major League level, hitting .296/.341/.455 with a 113 wRC+ and 21.1 WAR. He has hit 138 home runs, driven in 735 and scored 710 runs.
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