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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Throws first spring bullpen session
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Stephenson (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
It's the first time throwing off a mound this spring for Stephenson. The righty missed all of 2024 and much of 2025 due to arm trouble and dealt with a nerve issue and thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms this offseason. Stephenson is a poor bet to stay healthy, but when he's on the active roster he'll be in the mix for high-leverage appearances.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: One week behind schedule
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Stephenson said Wednesday that he's about a week behind schedule after dealing with a nerve issue and thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms this offseason, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Stephenson insists that he feels good now, and with a bullpen session set for later this week he's not worried about missing Opening Day. The veteran reliever missed all of 2024 following UCL reconstruction with an internal brace, and he made only 20 total appearances in 2025 due to more arm problems. It's positive news that Stephenson is currently in a good spot, and he will be among those in the mix to close games for the Angels in 2026 if he can stay healthy. That said, he remains a major health risk.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Could get shot to close in 2026
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Stephenson (elbow) could get an opportunity to serve as the Angels' closer next season, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.
General manager Perry Minasian said Monday that the team is undecided whether it will add an established closer to replace free agent Kenley Jansen. As things stand right now, Stephenson and Ben Joyce (shoulder) appear to be the top in-house candidates for the role. Stephenson missed the entire 2024 season following UCL reconstruction with an internal brace, and he was limited to just 12 appearances for the Angels and eight rehab outings in 2025 because of more arm issues. The righty finished this past season on the injured list with right elbow inflammation, and it's unclear whether he's been able to have a normal offseason throwing program. Stephenson is owed $11 million in 2026 and the Angels have a $2.5 million option on him for 2027 that vested after he needed UCL surgery.
Angels' Robert Stephenson: Shelved with elbow inflammation
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The Angels placed Stephenson on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right elbow inflammation.
Stephenson's move to the IL will ensure he remains sidelined for the rest of the year after putting up a 2.70 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across 10 innings in the majors. Sam Bachman was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to fill the hole in the Halos' bullpen.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Activated Friday
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Stephenson (biceps) was activated from the 60-day injured list Friday.
Stephenson has been on the shelf since June 2 due to right biceps inflammation, and after a lengthy rehab process, he's been cleared to rejoin the active roster. The 32-year-old has appeared in just two MLB games this season, tossing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. He yielded two runs across three innings in three rehab appearances. Chase Silseth was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Likely to log one more rehab outing
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Stephenson (biceps) will likely make one more minor-league rehab appearance before being activated off the 60-day IL, per MLB.com
Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery said Sunday that Stephenson is "in a good spot" through two rehab outings. In those appearances, the veteran reliever has given up two runs (both in the first outing) on two hits while posting a 4:1 K:BB over two innings. Stephenson has pitched in only one game for the big-league club this season, but it appears he'll be back before the end of August to provide a boost to the Angels' bullpen.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Beginning assignment
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Stephenson (biceps) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.
Biceps inflammation has kept Stephenson on the shelf since the end of May, and after two-plus months of rehab, the 32-year-old righty has now been cleared to pitch in a competitive environment. Given the duration of his stay on the injured list, he will likely require several tune-up outings before being cleared to join the Angels' bullpen, but a return to Anaheim before the end of the month remains in play.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Nearing rehab stint
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Stephenson threw a bullpen session Friday and "came through it fine," per interim manager Ray Montgomery, and the veteran reliever may next begin a minor-league rehab assignment, according to MLB.com.
Stephenson has had an injury-plagued campaign and has gotten into only two games so far for the Angels. His current injury is a stretched nerve in his right biceps and he's on the 60-day IL, so he isn't eligible to be activated until the final week of August. The positive news is that Stephenson has been able to deploy his full arsenal during recent bullpen sessions, and while he could be asked to toss more bullpens before he's deemed ready for game action, a minor-league rehab stint appears to be in the works in the near future.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Completes side session
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Stephenson (biceps) threw a bullpen session featuring his full repertoire Saturday, MLB.com reports.
The side session was Stephenson's second in less than a week, but he incorporated his full arsenal Sunday after throwing only fastballs Wednesday. According to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register, Stephenson is slated to throw three more bullpen sessions before he advances to facing hitters and then heads out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Given all the checkpoints he still needs to hit in his recovery process, Stephenson appears unlikely to return from the 60-day injured list until late August at the soonest.
Angels' Robert Stephenson: Set for mound work Wednesday
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Stephenson (biceps) threw from 120 feet Tuesday and is slated to throw off a mound Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Stephenson recently expressed frustration about the slow pace of his rehab, but he said after reaching 120 feet during long toss Tuesday that his arm "turned for the better." The veteran reliever is now scheduled for a bullpen Wednesday, though he's planning to throw only fastballs in that session. Stephenson has appeared in just two games with the Angels so far this season, but if he doesn't hit any snags in his current rehab, he could be back with the team around mid-August.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Shifts to 60-day IL
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The Angels transferred Stephenson (biceps) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.
Stephenson initially landed on the injured list June 2 with biceps inflammation, so his move to the 60-day IL has virtually no impact on his return timeline. The 32-year-old reliever began a throwing program Monday but has yet to begin mound work, and he'll likely require a few rehab appearances in the minors before rejoining Los Angeles' bullpen. Jose Quijada was selected to the MLB roster Thursday to claim the open 40-man roster spot.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Throwing out to 90 feet
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Stephenson (biceps) has resumed throwing and is currently playing catch from up to 90 feet, per MLB.com.
Stephenson landed on the 15-day injured list due to right biceps inflammation in early June and was subsequently shut down from throwing for several weeks. He resumed playing catch June 30 but continued to experience discomfort and had his throwing program halted again until July 7. Stephenson is now back to building up, but considering that he hasn't yet thrown from a mound, he's unlikely to be activated until August, at the earliest.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Plans to resume throwing Monday
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Stephenson (biceps) expects to begin throwing again Monday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Stephenson landed on the injured list June 2 (retroactive to May 31) due to a stretched nerved in his right biceps. The veteran reliever was initially shut down from throwing but appears close to beginning to ramp back up. If he progresses well, Stephenson could return to the Angels' bullpen around the All-Star break.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Could start throwing soon
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Stephenson is still feeling some discomfort in his right biceps but is hopeful to start throwing during the Angels' nine-game homestand that begins Friday, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.
Stephenson is working his way back from biceps inflammation but is on track to begin throwing before the end of June. The veteran reliever is without an official timeline to return from the 15-day injured list, but he'll most likely remain on the shelf through the All-Star break.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: MRI reveals no structural damage
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Stephenson had two MRIs that showed no structural damage to his right biceps, and he's been diagnosed with a stretched nerve, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
While imaging provided some positive news for the veteran reliever, the stretched nerve diagnosis comes with an uncertain timeline for a return. Stephenson called the issue a "freak injury" and stated that he's unsure how long he'll be out of action. He added that the only treatment for the injury is rest, and at this point it's unclear if Stephenson will be ready to return from the IL when eligible June 15.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Shelved with biceps inflammation
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The Angels placed Stephenson on the 15-day injured list Monday due to right biceps inflammation.
Stephenson will be eligible to come off the IL on June 15, though it's not clear if he'll be ready to go by then while he recovers from yet another arm injury. The 32-year-old righty had previously missed the entire 2024 season after getting UCL repair surgery last May, and he didn't make his 2025 debut until last week after completing an extended minor-league rehab assignment. The Angels recalled lefty Sam Aldegheri from Double-A Rocket City to replace Stephenson in the bullpen.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Considered day-to-day
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Manager Ron Washington said after Friday's game against Cleveland that he expects Stephenson to be fine after Stephenson exited with a biceps injury, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Stephenson didn't seem to be too concerned about his injury either, per Fletcher, saying that the issue is in the middle of his biceps rather than near his surgically repaired elbow. He'll attempt to do some throwing Saturday, at which point we may know more about his availability going forward.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Exits after three pitches
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Stephenson was removed from Friday's game against the Guardians with right biceps discomfort.
In his second appearance since returning from Tommy John surgery, Stephenson had to come out of the game after throwing only three pitches. The good news is that his latest injury isn't related to his surgically repaired elbow, but there's still no telling if he'll need to spend even more time on the injured list because of his biceps.
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