Ben Joyce, the Los Angeles Angels’ young flamethrower, has recently undergone season-ending shoulder surgery, which has left fans and the team grappling with yet another setback. Known for his remarkable ability to throw fastballs clocked at an astonishing 105 MPH, Joyce showed immense promise in the 2024 season, posting an impressive 2.08 ERA. However, his 2025 performance has taken a different turn, with a less favorable 1-0 record and a 6.23 ERA over a mere 4.1 innings pitched.
For those who’ve followed Joyce’s journey, the news of his injury wasn’t entirely shocking. Many fans have expressed a mix of disappointment and resignation, speculating that the strain of consistently throwing over 100 MPH may have contributed to his current predicament.
Twitter was abuzz with reactions from fans, who showcased a blend of concern and skepticism. One user noted, *“It was inevitable with how hard he throws the damn ball,”* echoing a sentiment many seem to share. Another added, *“Well when you throw 200mph and are not Nolan Ryan, chances are you are done,”* highlighting the high-pressure expectations placed on young pitchers.
In the community of baseball fans, there’s an understanding that extraordinary talent often comes with extraordinary risks. Fans are illustrating a shared wisdom: just because you can launch a ball at breakneck speeds doesn’t mean you should. One fan advised, *“Just because you can throw 105 mph doesn’t mean you should. Dude should level it back to 97-99 and get some movement and save his arm and shoulder,”* underscoring the balance pitchers must find between power and longevity in their careers.
This experience resonates deeply within the baseball community. Many have seen talented players go down with injuries due to the demanding nature of the sport. *“This sucks, but kinda inevitable?”* responded one fan, recalling Joyce’s ambitious aspirations to throw even harder, *“I remember him saying he’s trying to throw 107.”*
The impact of Joyce’s injury extends beyond just his personal career. The Angels face a pressing challenge in filling the void left by such a talented arm. Despite a rocky ERA, Joyce was a crucial asset during tight games, bringing energy and hope to a team that has been struggling. The Angels are not only contending with Joyce’s absence but are also dealing with other injuries, notably that of superstar Mike Trout, who remains on the injured list. Currently sitting at the bottom of the AL West with a disappointing 17-25 record, the Angels face an uphill battle to make a postseason push.
In the greater landscape of Major League Baseball, the injury bug is rampant, affecting numerous teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have over a dozen pitchers sidelined. The pressure and unpredictability of injuries serve as a harsh reminder of the sport’s physical toll, both for individual players and their teams.
For fans, the collective emotions surrounding Joyce’s injury reveal a shared understanding of the narrative arc that so many players navigate—a blend of ambition, the pursuit of greatness, and the sobering reality of physical limits. As the Angels regroup and strategize on how to fill this critical gap in their roster, the hope is that Joyce will find the strength to recover and return even stronger in the future. In the meantime, fans will continue to rally behind their team, embodying the resilience that defines baseball culture.
Image Source: Ben Joyce @ Instagram
