Angels' Robert Stephenson: Undergoes Tommy John surgery
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Stephenson (elbow) had Tommy John surgery May 1, Trent Rush of Angels Radio AM 830 reports.
Stephenson was one of the Angels' biggest signings in the offseason, but he won't play a game for the team in the first season of his three-year contract. It's quite possible that he won't be ready to pitch at the start of the 2025 campaign, but the veteran reliever should join the Angels' bullpen sometime next spring or summer.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Set for Tommy John
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Stephenson (elbow) announced Tuesday that he is going to get Tommy John surgery April 30, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
It was announced Thursday that Stephenson would undergo season-ending surgery on his right elbow. The 31-year-old, who'd been dealing with a shoulder injury, had a rehab appearance for April 13, but he exited that outing with a sore elbow that was indicative of a much more troublesome issue. The righty joined the Angels on a three-year, $33 million contract in January, and it now appears he'll potentially have to wait until the latter portion of the 2025 season to have a chance at making his debut.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Shifts to 60-day IL
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The Angels transferred Stephenson (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Sunday.
It was recently announced Stephenson would undergo season-ending surgery on his right elbow, so it was only a matter of time before he moved to the 60-day IL. The 31-year-old joined the Angels on a three-year, $33 million contract in January but came into spring training injured and has yet to pitch for his new team.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Will undergo elbow surgery
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Stephenson will undergo season-ending surgery on his right elbow, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.
It was reported Wednesday that Stephenson would miss the remainder of the season, so it's not a surprise to hear that he needs surgery. The specific type of surgery hasn't been revealed, and it's possible it won't be known publicly until after the procedure occurs. If Stephenson needs Tommy John surgery, he could be out until around midseason of next year.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Out for season
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Stephenson will miss the entire 2024 season due to an elbow injury, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports,
The Angels will announce more details regarding Stephenson's injury Thursday, but his elbow issue is apparently significant enough to rule him out for the remainder of the year. The 31-year-old righty had been on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake but was removed from his appearance Saturday after facing just one batter.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Now dealing with elbow issue
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Stephenson's (shoulder) removal from a rehab appearance over the weekend was due to right elbow soreness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Stephenson issued a four-pitch walk to the only batter he faced in his first rehab outing before being lifted. He has been out all season with a shoulder injury and now has an elbow problem to contend with. The reliever will undergo testing before more is known about a diagnosis and potential timetable.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Exits rehab appearance with injury
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Stephenson (shoulder) had to be removed from his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday with an apparent injury, Taylor Blake Ward of TheSportingTribune.com reports.
Stephenson issued a four-pitch walk to the lone batter he faced before being visited by the trainer and then walking off the field. There's no word yet on what he's dealing with, but it would be fair to assume he might have aggravated the right shoulder injury he's dealt with since late February.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Cleared for rehab assignment
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Stephenson (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Stephenson is set for an appearance Sunday and another Tuesday before being re-evaluated. Assuming both outings go well, Stephenson could get the green light to return from the 15-day injured list by next weekend. He could be eased into high-leverage spots, but Stephenson will eventually fill a setup role with the big club.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Nearing rehab assignment
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Angels manager Ron Washington said Tuesday that Stephenson (shoulder) threw a live bullpen session and is close to a rehab assignment, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Stephenson started the season on the 15-day IL after missing all of spring training due to right shoulder soreness. His live BP session is another step in the right direction as the right-hander continues to ramp up his activity. Stephenson appears poised to make his first rehab assignment in the next few days.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Nearing live BP session
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Stephenson (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and could be cleared to face hitters in live batting practice within the next few days, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
According to Fletcher, the bullpen session was Stephenson's third in less than a week, a sign that he's bouncing back well after he was shut down for a brief period of time earlier in the spring with right shoulder inflammation. Because he didn't complete a proper spring training throwing progression, Stephenson will still need additional time to complete the ramp-up process, but a minor-league rehab assignment doesn't appear to be too far off. Stephenson could report to one of the Angels' affiliates as soon as next week if his live BP session goes as expected.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Completes throwing session Friday
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Stephenson (shoulder) threw off the mound Friday and noted that he hopes to be back by the end of April, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Stephenson has been dealing with right shoulder soreness since late February. His availability for Opening Day was taken off the table during spring training before he was ultimately placed on the Angels' 15-day injured list Thursday. Stephenson spent the 2023 season between the Pirates and Rays, posting a 3.10 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 77:16 K:BB over 52.1 innings.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: IL move made official
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The Angels placed Stephenson on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right shoulder inflammation.
The 31-year-old recently resumed throwing but remains without a timetable to make his season debut. Once healthy, Stephenson is poised to serve in a setup role in front of closer Carlos Estevez.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Playing catch Thursday
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Stephenson (shoulder) is scheduled to play catch Thursday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Stephenson has been battling shoulder soreness since the beginning of camp, and he's missed all of the Angels' Cactus League games as a result. Considering Stephenson has yet to progress to facing hitters with just a week remaining before Opening Day, it is appearing increasingly likely that the right-hander begins the season on the injured list.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Still battling discomfort
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Manager Ron Washington said Stephenson continues to deal with right shoulder discomfort and may not be ready by Opening Day, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
The 31-year-old appeared back on track for a high-leverage role to start the season after being slowed early in camp by shoulder soreness, but the renewed discomfort puts his availability in jeopardy. Stephenson's outlook will depend on how quickly the issue subsides, but a trip to the injured list to begin the campaign wouldn't be surprising.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Uncertain for Opening Day
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Stephenson (shoulder) admitted Thursday that he's not sure he'll be ready in time for Opening Day, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Stephenson was able to play catch Wednesday as he works his way back from right shoulder soreness. While the reliever is confident he'll be pitching in Cactus League games before the schedule runs out, he's less certain about getting in enough work to be ready by March 28. The good news is that this does not currently appear to be a long-term injury, rather Stephenson could just need more time to be fully ramped up. The setup man was signed to a three-year, $33 million contract in January.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Nursing shoulder soreness
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Stephenson has been dealing with right shoulder soreness but will play catch Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Stephenson has yet to make a Cactus League appearance, and Fletcher's report helps clarify why the veteran reliever hasn't debuted. It's certainly a good sign that he'll resume throwing Wednesday, but he'll need to check off additional boxes before being cleared for spring games. Assuming he's fully healthy for Opening Day, Stephenson is slated for a setup role with the Angels ahead of closer Carlos Estevez.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Signs with Angels
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Stephenson agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract with the Angels on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
With Josh Hader landing in Houston, Stephenson was one the better relievers left on the market. He had a breakout 2023 campaign, during which he maintained a 3.10 ERA and 0.88 WHIP to go along with a 77:16 K:BB across 52.1 innings while pitching primarily with the Rays. Stephenson also proved capable of working in a high-leverage role by racking up 15 holds, and he should be in contention for saves alongside Carlos Estevez with his new club.
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Rays' Robert Stephenson: Picks up save
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Stephenson struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save Wednesday against the Twins.
Colin Poche was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and got the first two outs while also allowing a walk. Stephenson followed and struck out Christian Vazquez on three pitches to end the game and tally his first save of the season. Stephenson has been excellent since joining the Rays by maintaining a 2.43 ERA and 0.69 WHIP with a 53:8 K:BB across 33.1 innings. However, he isn't likely to see more save chances with Pete Fairbanks -- who was likely unavailable Wednesday due to a heavy recent workload -- locked in as the team's closer.
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Rays' Robert Stephenson: Traded to Rays
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The Rays acquired Stephenson from the Pirates on Friday in exchange for minor-league infielder Alika Williams, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.
Stephenson has a 5.14 ERA for the Pirates this season and a 5.38 ERA over 76 relief appearances since the beginning of 2022. However, the 2011 first-round pick still has pretty good stuff and can miss bats, particularly with his slider. It's the kind of profile the Rays usually get the most out of, but Stephenson can be expected to work in low-leverage situations initially.
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Pirates' Robert Stephenson: Activated from injured list
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Stephenson (elbow) was activated Friday from the 15-day injured list.
Stephenson will join the Pirates' bullpen Friday night in St. Louis after missing the first three weeks of the 2023 regular season due to right elbow soreness. He could eventually work his way into a prominent setup role, though Pittsburgh's relief corps has been impressive all around in the early going.
