Angels' Robert Stephenson: Could start throwing soon
Rotowire
Stephenson is still feeling some discomfort in his right biceps but is hopeful to start throwing during the Angels' nine-game homestand that begins Friday, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.
Stephenson is working his way back from biceps inflammation but is on track to begin throwing before the end of June. The veteran reliever is without an official timeline to return from the 15-day injured list, but he'll most likely remain on the shelf through the All-Star break.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: MRI reveals no structural damage
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Stephenson had two MRIs that showed no structural damage to his right biceps, and he's been diagnosed with a stretched nerve, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
While imaging provided some positive news for the veteran reliever, the stretched nerve diagnosis comes with an uncertain timeline for a return. Stephenson called the issue a "freak injury" and stated that he's unsure how long he'll be out of action. He added that the only treatment for the injury is rest, and at this point it's unclear if Stephenson will be ready to return from the IL when eligible June 15.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Shelved with biceps inflammation
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The Angels placed Stephenson on the 15-day injured list Monday due to right biceps inflammation.
Stephenson will be eligible to come off the IL on June 15, though it's not clear if he'll be ready to go by then while he recovers from yet another arm injury. The 32-year-old righty had previously missed the entire 2024 season after getting UCL repair surgery last May, and he didn't make his 2025 debut until last week after completing an extended minor-league rehab assignment. The Angels recalled lefty Sam Aldegheri from Double-A Rocket City to replace Stephenson in the bullpen.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Considered day-to-day
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Manager Ron Washington said after Friday's game against Cleveland that he expects Stephenson to be fine after Stephenson exited with a biceps injury, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Stephenson didn't seem to be too concerned about his injury either, per Fletcher, saying that the issue is in the middle of his biceps rather than near his surgically repaired elbow. He'll attempt to do some throwing Saturday, at which point we may know more about his availability going forward.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Exits after three pitches
Rotowire
Stephenson was removed from Friday's game against the Guardians with right biceps discomfort.
In his second appearance since returning from Tommy John surgery, Stephenson had to come out of the game after throwing only three pitches. The good news is that his latest injury isn't related to his surgically repaired elbow, but there's still no telling if he'll need to spend even more time on the injured list because of his biceps.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Activated off IL
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The Angels reinstated Stephenson (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Stephenson has been on the shelf since undergoing UCL repair surgery on his right elbow in May of 2024. He made five rehab appearances between Single-A Inland Empire and Triple-A Salt Lake and allowed two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out five across five innings. Stephenson has been given the green light to return to the majors and will be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's series finale against the Yankees. In a corresponding move, Jake Eder was optioned to Triple-A following Tuesday's game.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Rehab stint bumped up to Triple-A
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Stephenson (elbow) had his minor-league rehab assignment moved up to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Stephenson pitched in two games with Single-A Inland Empire prior to being bumped up to Salt Lake. He's gotten into two contests in Triple-A so far, allowing a run on two hits while striking out two batters and walking none over two innings. The righty reliever underwent UCL repair surgery in May of last year, and he appears on the brink of a return to the majors. If all goes well moving forward, Stephenson could join the Angels' bullpen as soon as early June.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Begins rehab assignment
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Stephenson (elbow) began a rehab assignment with Single-A Inland Empire on Tuesday, allowing one run over one inning.
It was Stephenson's first game appearance in more than a year, as he's nearly completed the long road back from UCL reconstruction with an internal brace. Given the long layoff, Stephenson will likely require most, if not all, of his allotted 30 rehab days before joining the Angels' bullpen.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Throwing to live hitters
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Stephenson (elbow) progressed to facing live hitters Saturday, per MLB.com.
Stephenson had Tommy John surgery last May and is just over a year removed from the procedure. The veteran reliever has yet to pitch for the Angels after the team signed him to a three-year deal as a free agent in January of 2024. If he continues to progress without any setbacks, Stephenson could be ready to join the big club sometime in June.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Bouncing back well from surgery
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Stephenson (elbow) said Wednesday that he's throwing up to 92 miles per hour during his bullpen sessions, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Stephenson is already on the 60-day injured list while he completes his recovery from a UCL reconstruction procedure involving an internal brace, which he underwent May 1, 2024. The right-hander said he'll begin incorporating breaking balls into his bullpen sessions next week, and if all continues to go well in his throwing progression, he'll likely start facing hitters in April. Based on where he currently stands in his rehab program, Stephenson could be a candidate to return from the IL around when he's first eligible in late May.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Placed on 60-day IL
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The Angels placed Stephenson (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Saturday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Stephenson is still working his way back from the Tommy John procedure he underwent in May and isn't expected to make his return until July. Therefore, the Angels will temporarily strip him of his 40-man roster spot and give it to Kenley Jansen (shoulder), who officially signed his one-year deal with Los Angeles on Saturday.
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Angels' Robert Stephenson: Cleared for mound work
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Stephenson (elbow) is scheduled to throw off a mound Wednesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
The bullpen session will be Stephenson's first since he had a brace inserted into his right elbow as part of the Tommy John surgery he underwent May 1, 2024. Stephenson has reported no complications thus far in his recovery from surgery and is hopeful to return from the injured list by early July or shortly after the All-Star break. The 31-year-old signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Angels last offseason and looked to be a leading candidate to close games in 2024 before suffering the elbow injury, but he'll likely have to settle for a setup or middle-relief role once he's finally cleared for his 2025 debut.
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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: 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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
