The Angels introduced they’ve reinstated reliever Robert Stephenson from the 60-day injured listing. They optioned righty Chase Silseth in a corresponding transfer. Los Angeles already had a pair openings on the 40-man roster after not too long ago designating Connor Brogdon and Shaun Anderson for task.
Stephenson returns after shedding virtually three months to a biceps damage. He’d missed all of final season rehabbing elbow surgical procedure. That carried over into late Could this yr. Stephenson has spent a complete of three days on the Angels’ energetic roster. He tossed an ideal inning with two strikeouts in his group debut on Could 28. Two days later, the biceps damage knocked him out of motion earlier than he completed an at-bat.
The Halos signed Stephenson to a three-year, $33MM free agent deal going into 2024. Whereas the elbow damage worn out your entire first season, it triggered a conditional $2.5MM membership choice for 2027. Stephenson was dominant down the stretch two seasons again, putting out 43% of opponents with a 2.35 ERA in 42 appearances for the Rays. His arm hasn’t given him an opportunity to repeat that efficiency.
The Halos have dropped 5 video games underneath .500 and are very doubtless going to overlook the playoffs. They’ll hope Stephenson appears like his previous self within the ultimate 5 weeks of the common season. That’d not less than permit them to pencil him in as a high-leverage arm as they assemble their 2026 bullpen.
Kenley Jansen is an impending free agent. Ben Joyce will likely be working again from shoulder surgical procedure. Reid Detmers is a top quality reliever however would possibly get an opportunity to compete for a rotation spot subsequent spring. Ryan Zeferjahn has strikeout stuff with wildly inconsistent command. Stephenson and Brock Burke would be the solely locks for subsequent yr’s season-opening bullpen proper now, and that’s clearly conditional on the previous staying wholesome after two injury-wrecked years.
