Joe Smith returned to action on Sunday June 22.

Joe Smith was unavailable Saturday because of a stiff neck, Mike Scioscia said after the game. Smith had pitched the previous two days anyway. If he's ready to go Sunday, there's a good chance he'll be held back for a save situation.

Joe Smith notched his fifth save of the season with a perfect ninth inning in Wednesday's win over the Phillies. Smith induced a flyout and a foulout before getting Domonic Brown swinging to end it. He had been preceded by Ernesto Frieri, who fired a perfect frame of his own. Angels manager Mike Scioscia would like Frieri to take hold of the closer role, but Smith is probably the more reliable option right now. It's a situation in flux.

Joe Smith notched a save in Saturday's win over the Blue Jays. With the Angels up 5-1, Tyler Skaggs allowed back-to-back hits to begin the bottom of the ninth before Smith got the call to close things out. The submariner gave up a pair of run-scoring hits, but ultimately got Adam Lind to ground into a game-ending double play. We still expect Ernesto Frieri to get his closer job back before long, but Smith could continue to see save chances in the short-term depending on the situation.

Joe Smith will not be available to pitch Tuesday due to tightness in his right side. It sounds like a day-to-day issue for but could certainly wind up being worse if the oblique is involved. Smith is back in a setup role for the Angels with Ernesto Frieri regaining his closer job.

Joe Smith was set to close out Monday's game against the Yankees, but got sick in the bullpen. Angels manager Mike Scioscia then turned to Ernesto Frieri, who struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to notch the save. While it wasn't by design, we wouldn't be surprised if Frieri got his job back. He has five straight scoreless appearances.

Joe Smith nailed down his third save with a scoreless ninth Saturday against the Rangers. Smith hasn't had a hiccup yet, but Ernesto Frieri is already making a case to regain the closer's role. We expect the Angels to eventually switch back to Frieri even if Smith continues to do nothing wrong.

Joe Smith earned his second save in two days, hurling a perfect ninth against the Indians in a 6-4 victory. The Angels' new closer struck out two. Smith was the last of seven Angels pitchers used by Mike Scioscia in the nine-inning affair which pulled Los Angeles back to .500 at 13-13. He's now earned one less save in the last 48 hours than he had in his previous 438 career appearances. That isn't to say he can't do the job, as Smith, with a career 2.98 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, has been one of the league's best setup men for years. He'll hold off Ernesto Frieri as long as he keeps opponents off the board.

Joe Smith officially took over as Angels' closer on Monday, hurling a scoreless ninth inning against the Indians to earn a save in a 6-3 victory. Perhaps fittingly, the opportunity came against his former team, the Indians, who allowed Smith to earn just three saves (all last year) over five seasons despite a stellar tour of duty that consisted of ERAs between 2.01-3.83. Outside of a single to pinch-hitter David Murphy, not much of note occurred during Smith's frame. Angels manager Mike Scioscia has said he is confident that Ernesto Frieri will get his job back eventually, but Smith will make that transition mighty difficult so long as he continues to put up zeroes. He's up to five straight scoreless appearances.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia on Friday named Joe Smith the team's new closer. He's taking over for Ernesto Frieri, who holds a 9.35 ERA over his first 10 appearances. Smith has put up a 3.24 mark with 11 strikeouts over his first 10 frames as a Halo. Scioscia said he was confident that Frieri would "get it back" eventually, but for now Smith will be the man in the ninth inning.