Atlanta re-signed Stephens to a minor-league contract Monday.
For the second time since the start of April, Stephens rejoined Atlanta after declining an outright assignment and electing free agency. The right-handed reliever has thrown 3.1 innings in the big leagues in 2024, allowing one run. He's been assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett.
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Braves' Jackson Stephens: Outrighted to Gwinnett
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Atlanta outrighted Stephens to Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.
Stephens came up from the minors May 4 to replace the injured Pierce Johnson, and will now return to Triple-A as Johnson comes off the IL. Stephens made three appearances in his latest big-league stint, allowing one run over 3.1 innings while striking out two batters and walking one.
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Braves' Jackson Stephens: Added to roster
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Atlanta selected Stephens' contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.
Stephens has posted a 3.86 ERA and 13:2 K:BB over 9.1 innings with Gwinnett this season. He pitched in five games for Atlanta last season, yielding four runs over 12 frames. Stephens will operate in low-leverage situations.
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Braves' Jackson Stephens: Returns to Atlanta
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Stephens signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Tuesday.
Stephens elected to become a free agent last week, but he will end up back with Atlanta on another minors deal after testing the open market. Stephens maintained a 3.00 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 12 innings in the majors last season, and he also performed well during spring training. If the 29-year-old can prove to be a reliable option at Triple-A Gwinnett, he could return to Atlanta's bullpen at some point this season.
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Braves' Jackson Stephens: Set for long-relief role
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Stephens is expected to open the season in a long-relief role for Atlanta, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
The 29-year-old will have the lowest-leverage role in a stacked Atlanta bullpen, but Stephens could see significant innings early if Reynaldo Lopez struggles with his conversion to the starting rotation. Stephens made only five appearances in the majors in 2023, posting a 3.00 ERA and 11:5 K:BB over 12 innings, but he's had an intriguing spring with a 10:4 K:BB and zero homers allowed through 5.1 frames.
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Braves' Jackson Stephens: Makes spring debut
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Stephens (elbow) retired two batters via strikeout and gave up an earned run on one hit and one walk Saturday in Atlanta's 6-2 win over the Blue Jays in Grapefruit League play.
Making his spring debut, Stephens threw 21 pitches to four hitters. The 29-year-old right-hander finished the 2023 campaign on Atlanta's injured list due to right elbow inflammation, but he's faced no apparent limitations thus far in camp. After re-signing with Atlanta on a split contract over the winter, Stephens may need an impressive showing in the spring to win a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.
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Braves' Jackson Stephens: Back in Atlanta
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Stephens (elbow) signed a one-year, non-guaranteed split contract with Atlanta on Wednesday.
Stephens joined Atlanta's big-league bullpen in mid-September and made five appearances before landing on the injured list shortly ahead of the postseason with right elbow inflammation. The 29-year-old righty holds a 3.56 ERA and 1.37 WHIP through 65.2 innings since initially joining Atlanta in 2022, though it remains unclear if he will be ready to go for the start of spring training.
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Braves' Jackson Stephens: Lands on injured list
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Stephens was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday, retroactive to Sept. 30, with right elbow inflammation, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Stephens delivered two scoreless frames Friday against Washington, but an elbow issue apparently surfaced during the outing. The 29-year-old right-hander wasn't a strong bet to make Atlanta's NLDS roster even if healthy with just five big-league appearances this season, and he'll now be unavailable until at least mid-October.
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Braves' Jackson Stephens: Struggles in spot start
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Stephens allowed three runs on five hits and two walks and did not notch a strikeout over three innings in a no-decision against Miami on Wednesday.
With Atlanta locked into a first-round playoff bye, manager Brian Snitker opted to give Stephens his first major-league start since 2017. The right-hander gave the team three innings but needed 56 pitches to get through those frames. Stephens worked mostly in middle relief for Atlanta this season, though he did record two saves and two holds along with three wins while posting a 3.69 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 53.2 innings. Prior to Wednesday he had pitched six straight scoreless outings covering 6.2 frames, bolstering his chances at a roster spot for the NLDS.
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Braves' Jackson Stephens: Placed on injured list
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Stephens was placed on the 7-day concussion injured list Saturday.
Stephens was hit in the head by a comebacker during Friday's matchup against the Cardinals, and he'll be unavailable for at least a week after being diagnosed with a concussion. Jay Jackson was recalled to take Stephens' place in the bullpen.
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Braves' Jackson Stephens: Takes loss in extras
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Stephens (0-1) was stuck with the loss Sunday against the Padres, giving up four runs (two earned) on three hits and a walk over two innings of relief. He struck out one.
He entered the game to begin the 10th inning and had few problems, but things spiraled out of control for Stephens in the 11th after a leadoff double by Ha-Seong Kim. The right-hander had been solid in a long relief role for Atlanta until Sunday, and he carries a 3.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB through 12 innings with one three-inning save on his ledger.
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Braves' Jackson Stephens: Contract selected
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Stephens' contract was selected by Atlanta on Tuesday.
Stephens owns a 4.83 ERA in 63.1 career major-league innings, the last of which came in 2018. He'll likely fill a low-leverage bullpen role for now.
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Braves' Jackson Stephens: Receives chance in Atlanta
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Stephens signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Wednesday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Stephens posted a 1.82 ERA over 49.1 innings while playing in the Venezuelan Winter League this year, and he apparently showed enough to warrant a look from the reigning World Series champions. The 27-year-old appeared in 36 big-league games for the Reds between 2017 and 2018, posting a 4.83 ERA in 63.1 frames.
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Reds' Jackson Stephens: Clears waivers
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Stephens cleared waivers Monday and was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville.
Stephens pitched at least 25 innings in the big leagues in both 2017 and 2018 but did not see another opportunity in 2019. He spent the entirety of the year with Louisville, where he posted a 5.14 ERA in 84 innings.
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Reds' Jackson Stephens: Sent to minor-league camp
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Stephens was moved to minor-league camp Monday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Stephens has thrown 63.1 innings for the Reds over the last two seasons, recording a mediocre 4.83 ERA. He could be back with the Reds at some point this season when injuries strike the team's bullpen.
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Reds' Jackson Stephens: Reinstated from disabled list
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Stephens (knee) was activated from the 10-day DL on Wednesday.
Stephens will rejoin the bullpen after spending the past five weeks on the shelf due to a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee. The 24-year-old was able to pitch in seven Triple-A games while on a rehab assignment, including a three-inning outing against Indianapolis on Friday. Look for him to be available immediately versus the Brewers on Wednesday. In a corresponding move, Amir Garrett (foot) was put on the DL.
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Reds' Jackson Stephens: Set to begin rehab stint
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Stephens (knee) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Stephens landed on the disabled list July 24 with a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee, so it's encouraging to see him head out on a minor-league rehab stint so soon. He'll toss one inning or 20-to-25 pitches Tuesday and will likely build from there. Assuming everything goes off without a hitch, the 24-year-old righty could find himself back in the big-league bullpen before the end of the month. Prior to suffering the injury, Stephens compiled a 4.82 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 23 strikeouts in 28 innings as a long reliever for the Reds.
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Reds' Jackson Stephens: Suffers torn meniscus
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Stephens was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday with a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee.
While the move is retroactive to Monday, Stephens' season is likely over, given the nature of the injury. The 24-year-old righty logged a 4.82 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 23 strikeouts in 28 innings as a long reliever out of the big-league bullpen.
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Reds' Jackson Stephens: Called up to majors
Rotowire
Stephens was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.
In two separate stints with the Reds earlier this season, Stephens had a 4.20 ERA in 15 innings. He struck out a mediocre 18.5 percent of batters while walking just 3.1 percent. In a corresponding move, Austin Brice was optioned to Triple-A.
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Reds' Jackson Stephens: Sent to minors
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Stephens was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.
Stephens was sent to the minors to clear a spot on the roster for Tuesday's starter, Anthony DeSclafani, who was activated from the disabled list in a corresponding roster move. The 24-year-old Stephens owns a serviceable 4.20 ERA across 15 innings with the Reds this season, so he should find his way back to the majors when additional bullpen help is needed.
