The Angels are going to sign left-hander Joey Lucchesi, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Heyman adds that the CAA Sports client is expected to be on the Opening Day roster, suggesting it’s a major league deal. That would mean the Halos would need a corresponding 40-man move. They have some candidates to move to the 60-day injured list, with Anthony Rendon being an obvious one, but they may also need spots for Adam Frazier and Jeimer Candelario if they plan to roster those guys.
Lucchesi, 33 in June, was in camp with the Giants on a minor league deal as of a few days ago. He was granted his release, which may or may not have involved him triggering an opt-out in that deal. Regardless, he was back on the open market and the Halos have scooped him up.
The southpaw has been a starter or swingman for most of his career. 2025 was his first big league season where he pitched exclusively as a reliever. He averaged just under 93 miles per hour with both his four-seamer and his sinker while also throwing a low-80s splitter and high-70s curveball. He gave the Giants 38 1/3 innings over 38 appearances, allowing 3.76 earned runs per nine frames. His 18.8% strikeout rate was subpar but his 7.3% walk rate was good and he induced grounders on 53% of balls in play.
The Giants could have retained Lucchesi for 2026 via arbitration, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting him for a $2MM salary. Instead, they non-tendered him and then re-signed him to a minor league deal that would have paid him $1.5MM in the majors. As mentioned, they released him from that pact a few days ago.
The Angels signed Kirby Yates, Jordan Romano, Drew Pomeranz and Brent Suter to free agent deals this offseason. No one in that group can be optioned to the minors. Chase Silseth is out of options. Guys like Ryan Zeferjahn, Sam Bachman and Walbert Ureña seemed to be trending to Opening Day jobs but all three can be optioned. Perhaps one of them will get bumped to the minors to make room for Lucchesi, though knocking out Silseth could be a way for the club to open a 40-man spot.
Photo courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images
This is it! What! Lucchini pouring from the sky let’s get rich WHAT!
Was not expecting a Camp Lo reference, but THIS IS IT, what.
Wanted Atlanta to grab him. Dang it, Alex!
Why sign another decent pitcher? They can just throw Elder twice a week!
Good point. Maybe they can have him be the bulk reliever every day. Only 3-4 innings per day of course.
Huge
Another cast off the Angels get!
Astros 71
The Astros sign Christian Vazquez a re-tread catcher and I do not see you mocking them for it!
Go troll somewhere else.
Let the wise cracks and lists begin!
Angels need help and no matter who it is, the replies will spew in negatitiy.
I was very surprised Giants did not hang on to him. Angels always need pitching.
The Angels bullpen is basically a half built IKEA dresser right now pieces everywhere, instructions missing, and nobody totally sure who’s supposed to close games. Kurt Suzuki hasn’t named a closer, and honestly, The job is wide open.
If you’re interested in the closer job
Send your résumé to
East Gene Autry Way
Anaheim, CA 92806
I’m not knocking Joey Lucchesi swing man relief, long man if I had to cut someone it have to be
Mike Soroka
In Jimmy Hergret fashion they will probably cut Silseth which would be the worst possible decision. What else does the guy have to prove besides staying healthy. The Angel bullpen might surprise this year if everyone can stay healthy.
@rontingley. They could always send Johnson or urena down. Keep luchessi and release whoever implodes my guess is its Romano or have luchessi as the fifth starter. As long as they have quick hooks on these cheap one year deals. I dont care.
Ace, yup!
I like it