The Los Angeles Angels' bullpen just took another hit. Left-handed reliever Drew Pomeranz has been placed on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation, adding to what's been a turbulent season for the Halos' relief corps. In a corresponding move, right-hander Ryan Johnson has been activated from the IL.
This latest setback is particularly concerning given Pomeranz's extensive injury history. The 37-year-old veteran has undergone multiple arm surgeries, which kept him sidelined from 2022 through 2024. Last season, however, he looked like he'd turned a corner with the Chicago Cubs, posting a stellar 2.17 ERA over 49 2/3 innings—a performance that made him a coveted free agent target.
The Angels took a calculated gamble on Pomeranz, signing him to a one-year, $4 million deal to anchor their bullpen. Unfortunately, that investment hasn't paid off so far. Pomeranz has struggled mightily this season, carrying a 7.20 ERA through 15 innings. His strikeout rate has plummeted from 28.1 percent last year to just 16.7 percent, while his walk rate has climbed from 7.4 percent to 11.4 percent. Those are alarming numbers for a reliever counted on to deliver in high-leverage situations.
Meanwhile, Ryan Johnson's return adds an intriguing wrinkle to the Angels' pitching puzzle. Johnson's path to the majors has been anything but conventional. Drafted 74th overall in 2024, he didn't throw a single professional pitch in the minors that year. Despite that, he made the Angels' Opening Day roster last season—a testament to his raw talent, but also a recipe for growing pains. After struggling for several weeks, he was sent to High-A, where the Angels let him develop as a starter.
Johnson made the rotation again this year, but his season was interrupted after just one start due to a viral infection. He recently began a rehab stint, throwing 3 1/3 innings on May 3 and following that up with five innings on May 8. His role remains fluid, as manager Kurt Suzuki explained to reporters: "I see him as a guy that can do both. If we need him as a starter, we can keep him as a starter. If we need him in the bullpen, he can do that. The luxury of having RJ is he can do everything."
For Angels fans, this is yet another chapter in a frustrating season. The bullpen has been in chaos, and losing a veteran arm like Pomeranz—even one who's struggled—doesn't make things easier. But Johnson's versatility and untapped potential offer a glimmer of hope. Whether he can provide the stability the Angels desperately need remains to be seen.