Angels Manager Discusses Reid Detmers’ Ongoing Struggles
The Los Angeles Angels are facing a tough decision regarding left-handed pitcher Reid Detmers.
Over his last seven appearances, heading into Friday’s game, Detmers has given up 18 hits and 14 earned runs in just eight innings. During his outing against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, he allowed three hits and three runs without recording a single strikeout, despite facing three batters from the bottom of the lineup.
“I thought it was the perfect situation to get him going,” said Angels manager Ron Washington. “With the bottom of the order, he might’ve been able to get through those three outs and feel better about himself. But it didn’t work out.”
Detmers’ struggles on the mound have been ongoing, though there was a time when he showed promise. The No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft had a solid rookie season, earning American League Player of the Week honors and a spot on the Baseball America All-Rookie Team in 2022. He posted a 3.77 ERA through 25 starts that year, but his performance has steadily declined since then.
Currently, Detmers holds a 9.39 ERA after his scoreless inning on Friday, with 15 strikeouts and six walks across 13 appearances this season. In just 15.1 innings, he has surrendered 22 hits, 16 runs, and two home runs.
After Friday’s scoreless inning, Washington expressed his belief in Detmers’ potential: “I just told him, this is his time. You know you’re better than you’ve been performing, and we know you’re better than this. This is a good time for you to turn things around, and he did. He really stepped up.”
The Angels moved Detmers to the bullpen after four seasons in the rotation and chose right-hander Jack Kochanowicz as the fifth starter for Opening Day. Despite his struggles, the Angels remain confident in the 26-year-old’s talent and believe he can return to form. Washington emphasized that the organization will continue working with Detmers to help him reach his full potential as an MLB-caliber pitcher.
“We just have to keep going back to the drawing board and get out of him what we know he’s capable of,” Washington said.
Detmers still has minor league options remaining, so the Angels could choose to send him to Triple-A to help him work through his issues. He spent three months in Triple-A last season, but has yet to be assigned to the minors this year.
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