Robert Stephenson's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

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.