Joyce's 2018 season with the A's was hampered by a recurrent lumbar strain. He was first placed on the disabled list for the injury on June 6, and returned to the lineup on June 22 after completing a rehab assignment with the Nashville Sounds. He returned to the disabled list again on July 7 with the same injury, and said that the pain had been bothering him for most of the season, and no one moment was responsible for this recurrence. His recovery process was repeatedly set back; Joyce did not begin rehab assignments until late August, and he was reactivated on September 1 when MLB rosters expanded. Appearing in only 83 games, Joyce batted .208 for the season, including seven home runs and 15 RBIs. He became a free agent at the conclusion of the season.
