Robert

Stephenson

Stephenson underwent Tommy John surgery back in April of 2024, and won’t be ready for the start of the season. Once healthy, he’ll be a bridge to Kenley Jansen, and Jansen’s signing is now official because they cleared room on the 40-man roster with Stephenson placed on the 60-day shelf.

It’s not a huge surprise since Stephenson underwent Tommy John surgery in April of last season, but this is the first confirmation that we’re hearing. The 31-year-old signed a three-year, $33 million contract last offseason after re-inventing himself in Tampa Bay and posting a 2.35 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, and 60/8 K/BB ratio in 38 1/3 innings. Stephenson figures to be back in action by the summer and could emerge as a late-inning option if Ben Joyce is unable to hold down the job.

Stephenson was set to undergo season-ending surgery, but the exact procedure remained a mystery until now. The 31-year-old righty, who signed a three-year, $33 million contract back in January, is likely to wind up missing the majority of the 2025 campaign.

It’s a procedural move as Stephenson is going to miss all of the 2024 season after undergoing season-ending elbow surgery. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster, and the Angels are using it to select the contract of Ehire Adrianza.

The development comes roughly 24 hours after the Angels announced that Stephenson, who signed a three-year, $33 million contract back in January, would miss the remainder of the season. The 31-year-old righty never wound up throwing a pitch for Los Angeles after landing on the injured list with shoulder discomfort. He suffered the apparent elbow injury during a minor league rehab appearance last weekend for Triple-A Salt Lake.

Well, that was unexpected. Stephenson had been rehabbing a shoulder injury but was pulled from his latest outing on Saturday after facing just one hitter. The Angels will have another announcement on Thursday where they’ll provide further detail and a potential timeline for Stephenson’s return. Incumbent closer Carlos Estevez’s job security looks a bit stronger based on this development.

Stephenson issued a four-pitch walk before exiting the contest. The right-hander is working his way back from shoulder inflammation, but this does not appear to be a step in the right direction. There should be an update on Stephenson’s status soon, but it’s unlikely he’s coming to help the Angels in the coming days.

Angels manager Ron Washington indicated to reporters that Stephenson is nearing a rehab assignment. The 31-year-old righty has been on the shelf since spring training working his way back from right shoulder inflammation. He’ll presumably operate in a setup capacity once he’s ready to make his Angels debut.

The 31-year-old right-hander is working his way back from inflammation in his pitching shoulder, but he’s progressing nicely and is hopeful that he’ll be able to join the Angels’ bullpen before the month of April is through. With Carlos Estevez gaining more traction in the ninth inning, expect Stephenson to function in a setup role upon his return.

Stephenson told Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com he will need a rehab assignment before being able to return. The right-handed reliever was placed on the injured list before Opening Day due to right shoulder inflammation. Assuming he’s able to progress, Stephenson has a chance to return to a high-leverage role with the Halos that could see him pick up save chances throughout 2024.