Robert Stephenson Debuts with the Angels After Long Recovery
ANAHEIM, Calif. – Sixteen months after signing a three-year, $33 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, reliever Robert Stephenson finally threw his first pitch for his new team.Stephenson missed last season after undergoing elbow surgery in May 2024, which included a ulnar collateral ligament repair with an internal brace. He was activated from the injured list for the final game of Wednesday night’s series against the New York Yankees and struck out his first two batters in a perfect sixth inning, although the Angels lost 1-0.
The Angels also selected the contract of utilityman Scott Kingery from Triple-A Salt Lake. Veteran infielder Tim Anderson, a two-time All-Star who hit .205 in 31 games for the Angels, was designated for assignment, and reliever Jake Eder was optioned to Salt Lake.The 33-year-old right-handed pitcher went 3-1 with a 2.35 ERA in 42 games for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023, striking out 60 batters and walking eight in 38⅓ innings.“Honestly, for me, this is on par with making my debut in the Major Leagues, you know?” Stephenson said before the game. “I feel like it’s going to be something special for me… It felt different entering the clubhouse. Like, I can really contribute something.”
Robert Stephenson
It should reinforce an Angels bullpen that entered Wednesday with the worst ERA in the league, 6.31, and lost setup pitcher Ben Joyce to season-ending shoulder surgery in late April.
Stephenson had an ERA of 3.60 in five innings in five rehab appearances in the minor leagues. He mixes a 97 mph fastball with an 85 mph slider and an 89 mph splitter.Los Angeles manager Ron Washington said he expects Stephenson to gradually return to a high-leverage role, but did not rule out the possibility of immediately using Stephenson to hold a lead in the eighth inning for closer Kenley Jansen.
“I want to give him the opportunity to establish himself,” Washington said, “but if the opportunity arises (in a high-pressure situation) and he’s the best we have at that moment, it will happen.”
Ron Washington
