Lucchesi Joins Angels Amidst Bullpen Crisis

The Los Angeles Angels recently signed left-handed pitcher Joey Lucchesi to bolster their beleaguered bullpen. This move comes as the team grapples with an extensive list of players on the injured list, including key relief arms like Robert Stephenson, Kirby Yates, and Ben Joyce. Lucchesi brings a career 4.07 ERA over 119 appearances and transitioned to a full-time bullpen role in 2025. He previously played for the San Francisco Giants, where he recorded a 3.76 ERA through 38.1 innings last season. While his fastball averages a modest 92.6 mph, Lucchesi is adept at inducing weak contact, boasting a 54.2% ground ball rate and a 31.7% hard-hit rate. This skill set is anticipated to be advantageous at Angel Stadium, which is known for favoring hitters, thereby helping the Angels mitigate home run damage.