Joe Smith converted his 10th save with a scoreless inning in Thursday's win over the Astros.

Smith worked around a two-out Marwin Gonzalez walk to protect the 5-2 lead; it was the first free pass he'd issued since June 10. The 30-year-old closer has converted five straight save chances. Smith is firmly ahead of Jason Grilli in the ninth inning pecking order for now, but Grilli, who hasn't allowed a run as an Angel, is lurking. The sidewinding righty owns a 2.70 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 40/9 K/BB ratio.

Joe Smith pitched a perfect ninth inning against the White Sox on Tuesday -- his second appearance on the day -- for his ninth save of the season.

Protecting a two-run lead, Smith got Gordon Beckham, Adam Eaton and Leury Garcia -- not exactly a murderer's row -- in succession to seal the victory. Since officially taking over the closer's role in June 24, Smith has converted four straight save chances, allowing just two hits in 4 1/3 innings of work. The right-hander owns a 2.78 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 40/8 K/BB ratio overall and should be owned almost universally while he's closing games for a good Angels team.

Joe Smith converted his eighth save of the season with a perfect inning in Tuesday's win over the White Sox.

Smith was called upon to wiggle out of a bases-loaded, no-out mess that Rich Hill handed him with the score at 7-3. The side-armer promptly induced a double play and then a groundout to end it. Jason Grilli is a threat, but Smith is the favorite for saves in Anaheim right now.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said after Tuesday's game that he plans to use Joe Smith in the closer role for now.

"We're going to keep Joe in the back end for right now until (Ernesto Frieri) gets his feet on the ground and his game comes back," Scioscia said. The statement comes as no surprise after Smith tossed a scoreless ninth inning to earn a save Tuesday. However, it's also clear that Scioscia would prefer Frieri in the ninth, so expect him to return there once he irons things out.

Joe Smith earned his first save since May 14 by tossing a scoreless ninth inning against the Twins on Tuesday.

Mike Scioscia has opted for a closer-by-committee in response to the sorry state of his bullpen, and the plan worked to perfection for at least one night. After C.J. Wilson allowed six runs in five innings, the bullpen finished off an 8-6 win by hurling four shutout frames. Mike Morin came on in the sixth, with Kevin Jepsen and Ernesto Frieri following in the seventh and eighth to bridge a lead to Smith. Smith is probably the more reliable option for saves in the bullpen right now, which makes him ownable in all applicable formats.

Joe Smith allowed a home run to Brad Snyder in the ninth inning of Sunday's win over the Rangers.

But he struck out two of the other three batters he faced to protect the Angels' late lead. It was a non-save situation. Smith is currently in a committee at closer with Ernesto Frieri, Mike Morin, and maybe a few others.

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 returned to action on Friday May 9.

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.

Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times suspects Joe Smith will soon take over as the Angels' closer.

And some of the other Angels beat writers agree. Halos skipper Mike Scioscia said Wednesday night that he was sticking with Ernesto Frieri as closer despite the right-hander's 9.35 ERA, but the situation could be reassessed during Thursday's scheduled team off day leading into a big three-game series at Yankee Stadium. Smith is worth grabbing in all standard mixed leagues while Scioscia and Co. mull a change.

Joe Smith allowed four unearned runs and blew the save against the Giants on Monday.

Shortstop Grant Green made a throwing error on what should have been the second out of the inning. Smith recorded a strikeout for the second out of the inning, then consecutively allowed a double, two singles, and a triple before being yanked from the game.

Joe Smith allowed one run in his one inning of work on Tuesday against the Rangers.

Smith, one of the Angels' few free agent signings, was victimized by a Leonys Martin triple in the fourth inning, leading to the run. He'll set up for Ernesto Frieri at the back of the bullpen this season.