Robert Stephenson DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Robert Stephenson (biceps) was removed early during Friday's outing against the Cleveland Guardians. Stephenson threw three pitches before exiting the contest. The right-hander just returned from Tommy John surgery, but appears to have avoided a major injury. Stephenson reportedly exited the contest due to biceps discomfort, so it's unrelated to his repaired elbow. It's unclear if Stephenson will land on the injured list, but he's not much of a fantasy option right now anyway.UPDATE: Manager Ron Washington thinks Stephenson will be fine, and they are considering him day-to-day for now. After being checked by a doctor, Stephenson is encouraged the injury is in the middle of his bicep and not by his elbow. He's planning to try and throw on Saturday.

According to Jeff Fletcher of the SoCal News Group, Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitcher Robert Stephenson (elbow) has been placed on the 60-day injured list. The 31-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery last May and is not expected to return to the mound until sometime in July. Stephenson was unable to pitch at all during the 2024 campaign. In 2023, Stephenson held a strong 3.10 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP across 52 1/3 innings. He tallied 77 punchouts and allowed walks at an 8.0 percent rate. That season, he generated a strong 2.73 xERA and a .180 xBA. By putting him on the 60-day injured list, the Angels were able to open a roster spot for relief pitcher Kenley Jansen, who the team officially signed earlier on Saturday. When Stephenson does return, fantasy managers should expect him to have a high-leverage role in the bullpen.

Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson (elbow) said that he's throwing off a mound on Wednesday for the first time since having Tommy John surgery and an internal-brace procedure back in May of last year. Stephenson hopes to be back with the Angels by early July or right around the All-Star break. The 31-year-old veteran signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the Halos last offseason but injured his elbow and didn't pitch at all for the team in 2024. Whenever he returns this year, Stephenson will merely be a late-inning setup man in front of hard-throwing Ben Joyce and veteran closer Kenley Jansen, who was signed to a one-year, $10 million contract on Tuesday. Now that he's pretty much blocked for save chances in the Angels' bullpen whenever he returns, fantasy managers can avoid Stephenson.