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.

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.

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.

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.

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Robert Stephenson (shoulder) is dealing with some right-shoulder soreness in camp but is playing catch on Wednesday. It's the reason why Stephenson hasn't appeared in a Cactus League game yet, although it's a good sign that he's playing catch in Wednesday, and he still has enough time to get ready for Opening Day in late March. Last year, Stephenson battled elbow soreness and opened the regular season up on the injured list. When healthy, he's expected to serve as the Angels' primary setup man for closer Carlos Estevez, which will give him plenty of fantasy appeal in holds leagues. The 31-year-old veteran, a former first-rounder, had a solid 3.10 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP, one save and 77 K's in 52 1/3 relief innings in 2023 for the Pirates and Rays.

Relief pitcher Robert Stephenson will sign with the Los Angeles Angels, pending a physical. The former first-round pick struck out 77 of the 201 batters he faced in 2023, compiling 52 1/3 innings. Stephenson should work the late innings and closing is a possibility in Los Angeles, even though he has three career saves. After coming to Tampa Bay from Pittsburgh, the 30-year-old posted a 179 ERA+, the highest of his career. He could be a trendy sleeper pick for saves and will likely be owned in most leagues that use saves+holds.

Free agent reliever Robert Stephenson is receiving interest from the Los Angeles Dodgers and a pair of NL East teams, namely the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. It has been reported that there are numerous teams with significant interest in the right-hander. A converted starter, Stephenson has found far more success as a reliever and enjoyed a career year in 2023. The 2011 first-round pick worked to a career-best 3.10 ERA and a massive 30.3% K-BB% in 60 appearances split between the Pirates and Rays a season ago. However, he took off upon landing in Tampa Bay as he tossed an eye-popping 1.50 ERA alongside a monstrous 42.9% while holding opposing hitters to a minuscule .114 batting average in the season's second half. A lucrative multi-year deal is well within reach for the 30-year-old.

Free-agent relief pitcher Robert Stephenson is drawing interest from the Baltimore Orioles, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Stephenson was excellent in 2023 as a member of the Pirates and the Rays, posting a 3.10 ERA, 0.879 WHIP, and 77:16 K/BB ratio over 52 1/3 innings of relief. With Felix Bautista (elbow) likely on the shelf for all of the 2024 season following his Tommy John surgery, the Orioles need to bolster their bullpen behind Yennier Cano. Morosi noted that Baltimore is starting to show more interest in Stephenson and that the high-leverage reliever market is starting to move fast. The 30-year-old righty should not be a free agent for much longer.

Free-agent right-hander Robert Stephenson has been one of the most popular free-agent relievers this offseason, according to sources. Stephenson had a 0.678 WHIP in 42 appearances for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023 and is drawing interest from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Angels, among other clubs. The 30-year-old former first-round pick has an underwhelming career 4.64 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in eight big-league seasons, but he also has a 25.9 percent strikeout rate and looked pretty dominant as a late-inning reliever for the Rays this past season. Depending on where he lands, he could be a sneaky high-leverage fantasy reliever in 2024 in leagues that reward points for holds.

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday in exchange for minor-league shortstop Alika Williams, according to a source. Stephenson had a 5.14 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 18 relief outings (14 innings) for the Reds this season. The 30-year-old has also posted an underwhelming 5.38 ERA in 76 relief appearances since the start of last year. The Rays will attempt to get something out of the former first-rounder, and if any team can turn him around, it would be Tampa. Williams, also a former first-rounder, was hitting .237 (37-for-156) with 11 doubles, a triple, five home runs, 23 RBI, three stolen bases and 21 runs scored in 42 games for Double-A Montgomery in the Rays system.

Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Robert Stephenson (elbow) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday. The 30-year-old has been coping with right elbow discomfort and hasn't made an appearance in spring training. The Pirates are hoping for him to throw one more bullpen session before re-evaluating him. Stephenson spent his 2022 campaign with the Pirates and Colorado Rockies. He posted a 5.43 ERA (4.23 FIP) with 55 strikeouts across 58 innings. The right-hander was shipped to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline in a transaction that also sent minor-leaguer Jameson Hannah to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for reliever Jeff Hoffman. Once Stephenson was dealt to the Pirates, he completely transformed. He composed a 3.38 ERA with a 0.825 WHIP through 13 appearances. The Pirates are hoping that his success carries over to the 2023 season.

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Robert Stephenson (arm) has been slowed in spring training due to right arm discomfort. The Pirates are being cautious early in camp after Stephenson threw on Saturday. It's probably a minor issue, but the Bucs aren't going to take any chances this early in camp. The 29-year-old right-hander is slated to be a high-leverage setup man at the back end of Pittsburgh's bullpen this year ahead of closer David Bednar. He spent the 2022 campaign with the Colorado Rockies and Pirates, going 2-2 with a 5.43 ERA (4.23 FIP), 1.33 WHIP and 22.3 percent strikeout rate in 58 relief innings. If Stephenson's arm injury turns out to be something more serious, Wil Crowe would be leaned on more heavily in a setup role.

The Colorado Rockies activated relief pitcher Robert Stephenson (back/neck) from the 10-day injured list on Thursday. Fellow reliever Antonio Santos was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Stephenson had been sidelined since June 18 due to an upper back and neck injury. He was acquired in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds this offseason and has struggled in his first year with the Rockies. Over 27 appearances, he has a 4.56 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP to go along with a 24.8% strikeout rate.

NEW YORK (AP) — Matt Harvey was greeted warmly by Mets fans in his return to Citi Field and harshly by New York’s hitters as the Mets beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-1 Wednesday. Harvey pitched against his former team for the first time and allowed Kevin Pillar’s two-run triple in a three-run second inning that carried the Mets to their seventh straight win. Wearing orange and black instead of blue and orange, Harvey (3-3) gave up a season-high seven runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings, and his ERA rose from 3.60 to 4.81 as the last-place Orioles lost for the fifth time in six games. Taijuan Walker (3-1) lowered his ERA to 2.20, allowing one run and four hits over seven innings as part of a five-hitter. Dominic Smith had three hits and two RBIs for the NL East-leading Mets, who completed a two-game sweep that finished a 5-0 homestand. New York is on its longest hot streak since winning eight straight from Aug. 3-10, 2019. YANKEES 1, RAYS 0 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Gerrit Cole struck out... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Matt Harvey was greeted warmly by Mets fans in his return to Citi Field and harshly by New York’s hitters as the Mets beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-1 Wednesday. Harvey pitched against his former team for the first time and allowed Kevin Pillar’s two-run triple in a three-run second inning that carried the Mets to their seventh straight win. Wearing orange and black instead of blue and orange, Harvey (3-3) gave up a season-high seven runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings, and his ERA rose from 3.60 to 4.81 as the last-place Orioles lost for the fifth time in six games. Taijuan Walker (3-1) lowered his ERA to 2.20, allowing one run and four hits over seven innings as part of a five-hitter. Dominic Smith had three hits and two RBIs for the NL East-leading Mets, who completed a two-game sweep that finished a 5-0 homestand. New York is on its longest hot streak since winning eight straight from Aug. 3-10, 2019. YANKEES 1, RAYS 0 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Gerrit Cole struck out... [More]