The Los Angeles Angels will go with a bullpen game to open the second half of the season in Friday's series opener in Philadelphia against the Phillies, per The Athletic's Sam Blum. Right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn will get the opening assignment. This will be the first time all season that the Angels have gone outside of their five-man starting rotation, and it will be Zeferjahn's first opening assignment. The 27-year-old will not be a realistic fantasy streamer, as he's thrown just two innings in one of his 40 relief appearances for the Halos in 2025. The former third-rounder by the Boston Red Sox in 2019 out of Kansas does have 41 punchouts in 35 innings this year, but he's also sporting a rough 5.66 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 22 walks while also picking up his first two career saves. Avoid Zeferjahn in Philly.

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Ryan Zeferjahn filled in for Kenley Jansen on Wednesday afternoon to help his team close out a sweep of the visiting Red Sox. The former Red Sox prospect was traded to the Angels last July and has become a key part of the bullpen for Los Angeles. He threw two hitless innings with just one walk against his former team and secured the 5-2 victory, earning his second save of the season. Overall, he is 4-1 in his 34 appearances with a 4.45 ERA and 4.82 FIP to go with an impressive 11.3 K/9. He has not allowed a run in eight of his last 10 games and has become a solid late-inning option. Jansen will remain the team's primary closer, but he did leave his last game with cramps in his neck. If Jansen misses time or the injury is worse than expected, Zeferjahn could be the next man up for the Halos.