Robert Stephenson underwent season-ending elbow surgery for ligament and flexor repair.
The Angels signed Stephenson to a three-year, $33 million contract ahead of the 2024 season with an average annual value of $11 million. The deal includes a conditional option for 2027 valued at $2.5 million, triggered if Stephenson spent 130 consecutive days on the injured list due to elbow ligament injury.
Stephenson posted a 2.70 ERA with a 2-0 record in 12 appearances during the 2025 season. In 2023 with Tampa Bay, he recorded a 2.35 ERA in 38 1/3 innings with a 42.9% strikeout rate and 5.7% walk rate.
Tommy John surgery wiped out Stephenson's 2024 campaign. He returned to the mound by the end of May 2025 but biceps inflammation put him back on the shelf after just two appearances. He came off the injured list in August and made eight more appearances but finished the season back on the injured list due to elbow inflammation.