Robert Stephenson’s year is over before it could begin.
The Los Angeles Angels announced Wednesday night that Stephenson, just months after signing a $33 million deal with the franchise, will miss the remainder of the season with an elbow injury.
The Angels announced that Robert Stephenson will miss the season due to an elbow injury. They will have more details about him tomorrow.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) April 18, 2024
Stephenson has yet to make his debut for the Angels this season, having signed for the club last season. He suffered a shoulder injury before he could pitch in preseason games, and he was preparing to make his return this month.
According to Jeff Fletcher of The OC Register, Stephenson faced hitters earlier this week in Anaheim before being sent to the team’s Triple-A affiliate in Utah. But on Saturday, while pitching for the Salt Lake Bees, he was pulled from the game after throwing just four pitches. He called a trainer after throwing four balls, and his night was over.
The Angels have not yet provided details on Stephenson’s elbow injury, although they are expected to do so on Thursday. Either way, if he’s out for the season by mid-April, the injury has to be extremely serious.
Stephenson, 31, spent last season with both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays. The reliever appeared in a career-high 60 games and had a 3.10 ERA with a 3-4 record.
Stephenson signed his three-year contract with the Angels in January, although there was an option in that contract that could be activated if he misses some time due to an elbow injury. Because he’s out for the season, the Angels can keep him for just $2.5 million in 2027. according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
The Angels have a 9-9 record this season after beating the Rays 5-4 on Wednesday. They wrap up a four-game series with the Rays on Thursday before heading to Cincinnati for a three-game run against the Reds starting Friday.
