TEMPE, Ariz. — While recent seasons have failed to meet expectations, the Angels have managed to deliver consistency at closer through it all.
Raisel Iglesias arrived in a trade from the Cincinnati Reds before the 2021 season and had 34 saves before collecting another 16 one season later. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves to save over $50 million in future salary.
Carlos Estevez had 31 saves with an All-Star Game appearance in 2023 after signing a two-year, $13.5 million free-agent deal, then had another 20 saves a year later before he was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies. That swap netted two starting pitcher options in George Klassen and Sam Aldegheri.
Kenley Jansen, who was 37 when last season began, turned back the clock to deliver 29 saves in 2025 with a 2.59 ERA, which was his second lowest over his past eight seasons.
This season, there is less certainty for the ninth inning, at least for now. That does not mean there are no options.
Right-hander Kirby Yates has 98 saves in 11 seasons, including a major league-best 41 in 2019 with the San Diego Padres and 33 in 2024 with the Texas Rangers. He was named an All-Star both seasons.
Right-hander Jordan Romano earned his two All-Star appearances on the back of 72 combined saves from 2022-23 as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. But an elbow procedure limited him to eight saves in each of the past two seasons, even as his velocity started to return last season.
Healthy now, Romano says he is ready to show he can be an elite late-inning pitcher again and says the culture being developed in the bullpen can yield success.
“Physically I’m feeling really good this spring as opposed to the last two years,” Romano said. “I feel like I’m pretty close to that (previous level), honestly, right now. Hopefully velo just starts to tick up as we go through but the slider’s feeling great. Fastball command is feeling good, body is feeling good, so feeling pretty close.”
As a member of the Dodgers last season, Yates was often on call for the ninth inning as Tanner Scott struggled in the closer role. Yates had three saves but his second half was marred by a back injury in August and a hamstring injury in September that ended his season.
The veteran would welcome another chance to close again.
“You always pitch yourself into a role in the bullpen and obviously I want to be in the back end,” said Yates, who will turn 39 later this month. “I’m most comfortable pitching the ninth, but I’ve got to go out there and pitch well.”
Other options include Robert Stephenson, who has made just 12 appearances in the first two seasons of a three-year, $33 million contract. But Stephenson has just three saves in nine career seasons.
Ben Joyce and his 100-mph fastball could also get a chance to close at some point, but he might not be ready to start the season on time after shoulder surgery last year. He did have four saves in 31 appearances in 2024.
“We feel that their stuff is still there,” first-year manager Kurt Suzuki said of his veteran closer options. “Obviously maybe not five years ago stuff, but we still feel it’s plenty to be successful. And the experience, you add in that and it makes it that much better to have the confidence knowing you have guys down there who have closed games at a high level.”
BACK ON THE MIC
Angels veteran radio broadcaster Terry Smith returned to the booth Wednesday four days after a violent hit-and-run car crash when he was rear-ended on a Phoenix-area street.
Smith’s car was totaled by a vehicle that had been traveling as fast as 90 mph, but he came out of the wreck with just a thumb injury. The suspect in the crash, who already was being pursued by police, remains at large.
Smith said the first officer on the scene told him he was lucky to be alive.
“I feel extremely fortunate to be on the air with you,” Smith said at the start of Wednesday’s broadcast on 830 AM. “This was a harrowing experience for me and my family, but I am ready to go and give it a test today. A lot of things have happened to me and my family over the last 72 hours and I’m extremely happy to be with you for today’s broadcast.”
NOTES
Suzuki has not ruled out giving top pitching prospect Tyler Bremner an appearance over the final three weeks of exhibition games. The Angels have 18 more games remaining in Arizona, as well as the three-game Freeway Series against the Dodgers. They club also has a Spring Breakout game among top prospects March 19 against the Cleveland Guardians. …
Outfielder Josh Lowe (oblique) is doing straight-line running but no rotational work, with Suzuki saying the offseason trade addition from the Tampa Bay Rays remains “on the right track” with his recovery.
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