Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson (elbow) said he will have Tommy John surgery with the internal brace on April 30 and he's expecting to have a rehab timeline of 12 to 18 months. The exact nature of his surgery hadn't been revealed until Stephenson talked to the media on Tuesday for the first time since getting injured. We already knew the 31-year-old veteran would miss the rest of 2024, but now we know the exact nature of his surgery. He signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Halos in January but didn't throw a single pitch in the regular season and also was battling a shoulder injury in spring training. There's no guarantee that Stephenson will be ready to roll for the start of the 2025 campaign.
It was announced on Wednesday night that Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson (elbow) would miss the rest of the 2024 season, and now we know why. The Angels revealed on Thursday that Stephenson will undergo elbow surgery, although the exact nature of the elbow surgery isn't known. If it's Tommy John surgery, the 31-year-old probably won't be able to return until next summer at some point. The Halos signed Stephenson in the offseason hoping that he could be a strong late-inning bridge to closer Carlos Estevez, but instead, Stephenson wasn't able to appear in a single big-league game in 2024. The former 27th overall pick in 2011 by the Cincinnati Reds had one of the best cut fastballs in baseball in 2023.
The Los Angeles Angels announced on Wednesday that relief pitcher Robert Stephenson (shoulder, elbow) will miss the rest of the 2024 season due to an elbow injury, and they'll have more details on his setback on Thursday. Working his way back from discomfort in his right shoulder, Stephenson was removed from his first rehab minor-league appearance on Sunday after facing just one hitter and feeling something in his right elbow. The hard-throwing 31-year-old right-hander signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Halos after notching a 2.35 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, and 60:8 K:BB over 38 1/3 innings with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023, and it's worth noting he dealt with inflammation in his right elbow in 2023. Carlos Estevez will be leaned on for ninth-inning work in Anaheim's bullpen for the remainder of the year, and he's converted three of his first four saves while giving up only two runs with a 5:0 K:BB in six innings.
Los Angeles Angels reliever Robert Stephenson (elbow, shoulder) is dealing with "elbow soreness" after his minor-league rehab outing on Saturday. Stephenson was already on the injured list and was working his way back from shoulder inflammation. He's undergoing testing and could now miss additional time before making his debut in 2024 with the Angels. Even if the 31-year-old's elbow injury isn't all that serious, this new injury is likely to push his return date back to May most likely. When healthy, Stephenson is expected to be the team's primary late-inning setup man in front of closer Carlos Estevez, but this latest injury will make it more difficult for fantasy managers to maintain patience when stashing Stephenson in deeper leagues.
After throwing just four pitches, all balls, Los Angeles Angels reliever Robert Stephenson exited his Triple-A rehab appearance with the trainer. The 31-year-old has been battling shoulder soreness since March and was expected to rejoin the Angels later this month. Although there has been no announcement made as to why he exited, it is possible he reaggravated the injury, which would put his original timeline in doubt. Fantasy managers may have stashed Stephenson in anticipation of his return, so this is certainly a situation to monitor. The righty had 77 strikeouts in 52 1/3 IP between Pittsburgh and Tampa last season.
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Robert Stephenson (shoulder) is set to start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday. Stephenson will then be re-evaluated after his scheduled appearance on Tuesday. Signed to a three-year, $33 million deal in January, Stephenson hit the injured list on March 28 due to right shoulder inflammation but continued his throwing progression with several bullpen sessions. Although he didn't appear during spring training, Stephenson should be available as a high-leverage arm out of Anaheim's bullpen in late April. The hard-throwing 31-year-old right-hander could eventually work his way into the ninth-inning mix as well, impressing with a 2.35 ERA (2.45 FIP), 0.67 WHIP, and 60:8 K:BB over 38 1/3 innings after joining the Tampa Bay Rays in June of 2023. With All-Star closer Carlos Estevez in a contract year, it wouldn't hurt fantasy managers to stash Stephenson where they can.
Angels Officially Place Robert Stephenson On Injured List
The Los Angeles Angels officially placed right-hander Robert Stephenson (shoulder) and infielder Michael Stefanic (quadriceps) on the injured list on Thursday. Stephenson isn't ready for Opening Day on March 28 in Baltimore against the Orioles due to right-shoulder inflammation he dealt with in spring training. While it's not a serious issue, the 31-year-old is going to miss a bit of time to open his first year in Anaheim. When healthy, Stephenson will be in play in fantasy leagues that count holds as the primary late-inning setup man to closer Carlos Estevez. And if Estevez struggles at all in 2024 and is removed from the ninth-inning job, Stephenson would be the first one in line to replace him for saves.
Robert Stephenson Feeling More Shoulder "Discomfort"
Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson (shoulder) is feeling shoulder "discomfort," according to manager Ron Washington. Stephenson had been feeling good about being ready for Opening Day on March 28, but Washington now concedes that Stephenson may run out of time. The skipper said the team did tests and is now just waiting for his discomfort to subside. Relievers require less time to build up than starters, but the 31-year-old veteran still appears to be more likely to open the year on the injured list. When healthy, Stephenson should be valuable to fantasy managers in holds leagues as the team's primary late-inning setup man to closer Carlos Estevez. With Stephenson likely set to miss some time to open the year, the Angels will ask Matt Moore and Jose Soriano to step up in setup roles.
Los Angeles Angels reliever Robert Stephenson (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session in camp on Wednesday. Manager Ron Washington said Stephenson will have time to get the innings he needs before Opening Day on March 28. The 31-year-old right-hander is also scheduled to throw another bullpen at some point this weekend, and if he doesn't suffer any setbacks, his next step will be facing hitters again. Stephenson's right shoulder has merely been sore, so he's not dealing with any structural damage and may not need to start the year on the injured list. His cutter has proved to be a deadly weapon in a high-leverage role, and he could have plenty of fantasy appeal in holds leagues in a setup role for the Angels ahead of closer Carlos Estevez in 2024.
Robert Stephenson Unsure If He'll Be Ready By Opening Day
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Robert Stephenson (shoulder) said he's confident he'll be pitching in spring training games, but he's not sure it will be enough games for him to be active on Opening Day in late March. Stephenson is working his way back from right-shoulder soreness in camp and was able to play catch on Wednesday, but there just might not be enough time for him to be fully ready for the start of the 2024 season. Although Stephenson signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Angels in free agency this offseason, he's expected to be the primary bridge to closer Carlos Estevez in his first year in Anaheim. Even so, the 31-year-old veteran should be a solid source of holds for fantasy managers near the back end of the Angels' bullpen.
