11:41AM: In what Stephenson described as “heartbreaking” news to Jeff Fletcher, the setback is related to possible UCL damage. Another surgery certainly appears to be a possibility, but Stephenson will first visit Dr. Keith Meister to discuss any non-surgical methods.
“There is concern right now for the state of my UCL, and my flexor,” Stephenson said. “I’m going to see if there’s a way we can rehab this thing and be able to pitch this year, but I don’t know what it looks like….It’s three years and I’ve got 10 innings to my name. It sucks. I just want to be on the field.”
9:52AM: Robert Stephenson is dealing with yet another injury concern, as Angels manager Kurt Suzuki told reporters (including Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register) that the right-hander has sustained some type of unspecified setback during his throwing sessions. Suzuki described the issue only as “a little setback,” but Stephenson will undergo tests to determine the extent of the matter.
Given the timing of this apparent injury and Stephenson’s checkered health history, it now seems very possible that he’ll begin the season on the Angels’ 15-day injured list. Even if this current issue is just a speedbump and Stephenson is back throwing in a few days’ time, his throwing progression could be scaled back a bit, plus the reliever has yet to pitch in any Cactus League games.
In his own words, Stephenson already went into Spring Training “a little bit behind everybody” after receiving an injection during the offseason to deal with some symptoms related to thoracic outlet syndrome. Still, it was just a week ago that Stephenson was feeling confident about his chances of making the Opening Day roster, as he had progressed to facing hitters during live batting practice sessions.
It’s an unwelcome start to Stephenson’s third season with the Halos, as the right-hander has barely pitched over the first two seasons of what was initially a three-year, $33MM contract. As per a clause in the contract, the Angels gained a $2.5MM club option for 2027 because Stephenson suffered a major elbow ligament-related injury — namely the Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the entirety of the 2024 season.
Stephenson returned to appear in two games in May 2025, but a nerve-related biceps problem forced him back to the IL for almost three more months. He made it back to pitch in 10 more games for Los Angeles before a bout of elbow inflammation ended his season. Stephenson’s Angels resume consists of just 10 innings in 2025, with a 2.70 ERA, 23.8% strikeout rate, and 7.1% walk rate.
While a small sample size, Stephenson’s solid numbers provided some hope that he could again flash the high-leverage form he showed (albeit on an inconsistent basis) in past seasons with the Reds, Rockies, Pirates, and Rays. On the other hand, the TOS symptoms provided a new injury scare, and it remains to be seen what imaging might reveal about this latest situation.
In better news for the Angels’ relief corps, Fletcher writes that Ben Joyce has added sliders to his throwing repertoire during bullpen sessions, and minor league signing Nick Sandlin is expected to soon move into game action after a pair of live BP sessions. One of the highest-velocity pitchers in baseball, Joyce had a seeming breakout season in 2024, but missed almost all of 2025 due to shoulder surgery. Sandlin also barely pitched in 2025, as a lat strain and elbow inflammation limited him to 16 1/3 innings with the Blue Jays.
In a related story, Stephenson has been spotted on several occasions meeting with Anthony Rendon.
At least Stephenson wants to be on the field.
It’s hard not to route for the guy. Devastating news for his career
If there’s a more useless set of free agents on one ballclub, I’d like to hear about it.
Ohtani saves them, but it looks like he just wanted to play in SoCal and the Dodgers didn’t have a DH at the time.
Didn’t Ohtani give the Angels the opportunity to match the Dodgers offer and Moreno said no?
Yeah, something like that, but I really don’t think he was ever going back to the Angels. In his last season, when he got hurt late in the year, he cleaned out his locker and never came back lol.
fred-3: “when he got hurt late in the year, he cleaned out his locker and never came back lol.”
Ohtani asked the Angels to work out a contract with him in off season prior to his final year. Of course, Arte wouldn’t do that (No one tells Arte what to do!). So, as soon as the season began without a new contract, Ohtani knew he was testing free agency once the season ended. So, cleaning out his locker made sense.
@Seal I think that was around the time Arte had the team up for sale. He preferred let the potential new owner to deal with it.
“I think that was around the time Arte had the team up for sale. He preferred let the potential new owner to deal with it.”
What the Angels did was pass up a chance to extend Ohtani after he had expressed an interest in staying. Then they doubled down by refusing a massive trade offer from the Padres for Ohtani. Then they tripled down by trading away the teams best prospects in a stupid short-sighted attempt to have a winning season in order to persuade Ohtani to stay. The team finished with 89 losses and Ohtani had already said he was going to test free agency anyway (because the Angels refused to negotiate in the off season)
I don’t think any potential new owner would have wanted to “deal with” buying a team that just pulled off one of the worst trade deadline disasters in MLB history.
@Seal I’ve read that Ohtani’s first choice was the Dodgers all along. And he would have signed with them in 2017 had NL had the DH.
“I’ve read that Ohtani’s first choice was the Dodgers all along. And he would have signed with them in 2017 had NL had the DH.”
What we know for sure is that Ohtani requested extension talks with the Angels before the 2023 season started…stating he did not want the talks to distract him on the field. The Angels refused (Because Arte is Arte) and Ohtani went on to test free agency just as he said he would…leading him to sign with the Dodgers.
I would have loved to have Ohtani, but we would still be years away and when that contract became an albatross, which it will, it would have delayed any success for a decade.
Halo11Fan: “I would have loved to have Ohtani, but we would still be years away”
The fact that he was AL MVP in 2023 and we still lost 89 games proves your point.
Instead of trading away our best prospects in an utterly stupid attempt to keep him….we should have kept our prospects and traded Ohtani away for the massive prospect haul that the Padres were offering.
Sometimes it seems like Moreno doesn’t even want to build up talent on the team….he’d rather keep it AAAA because it’s cheaper and he believes fans don’t care about winning.
At this point, I don’t even think the 2.5 mil option for next season is all that enticing. Even for the Angels…
If the Angels decline the option, which they should if they have a brain, Stephenson will only receive MiLB offers. Stephenson is the Rendon of relievers.
You mean he won’t be better when he’s older and coming off more injuries?
@halosfan8. Yeah arte doesn’t like pitchers that pitch every 5 days. What about the one that’s only pitched 12 innings. 2.5 mil is steep.
Hes got a better chance of retirement than pitching a full season again.
Ron, is the picture accompanying your name of Don Mossi?
aka The Sphinx.
It is. I’ve had others steal it and use it for their pics. There’s only one Don Mossi! And its not Ron Tingley, who was one of the greatest Angel back up catchers from 91-93
@ron tingley. He probably has T.O.S. he said he caught it before damage was done it was in a article, but literally every time spring training starts he’s down with arm tightness or numbness. One healthy year and literally the same crap his whole career his arm is toast.
Im pretty sure i was happy with Stephenson’s signing a few years ago. In hindsight… sheesh.
@angels. They probably signed him to early in the offseason. Feel like his price would’ve dropped. The red flags were always there. He looks great in the week he plays every year. I guess we can hope he hits 30 innings this year, but i doubt it.
You can say this about too many Angel free agent signings. Which might be why Arte finally decided to greenlight signing anyone to more than 1 year and $5M.
I think he just needs to to retire because he’s never going to be fully healthy again.
He’s sure not going to retire now and forfeit the $11 million he’s owed.
Arte must be thrilled. Nothing he loves more than lighting money on fire in free agency.
Another great Perry Minasian signing.
I’m sure TB medical staff knew this and thats why the Rays let him walk.
If the Angels only had a medical staff as well to perform physicals prior to signings, they wouldn’t be in this predicament.
The Angels are making me sad all over again.
The $11 million per year contract probably mattered too
One guy I’m glad the Cubs didn’t sign that I thought might be a good idea. Ended up with the all injury organization. How did they miss on Kris Bryant?
I hate Artie so much. This guy has ruined baseball for so many kids across Southern California. Greed and corruption. I hope he dies a very painful death, very soon.
How is this his fault?
If he allows Perry to sign a free agent and becomes a bust. Fans blame Arte.
If he cuts back on spending, and Perry is only allowed to offer one-year deals to prevent more Rendon and Stephenson contracts. Fans blame Arte.
Obviously it’s Arte’s fault. He makes the rules that the GM’s have to live within. Arte approves all free agent signings and trades. He said that all of them come through his desk before a decision is made. The Angel’s GM is just the guy that recommends who to sign or trade for and sometimes Arte demands certain people be signed and traded for.
It’s beyond the pale to wish someone’s death. As much as I want Arte to sell, I would never wish for someone’s death.
Let”s back up there, grim reaper. There aremorw than nother team in SoCal kids can freely root for.
*Let”s back up there, grim reaper. There are more than one team in SoCal kids can freely root for.
Kids Don’t care so much about what the FO does. They’re just happy to go to a MLB game.
@Sryphilz27_ Wishing death on someone ? Really hoping for a bunch thumbs up were ya?
Sryphilz27 Arte Moreno was the oldest of a 11 kids and drafted to fight in the Vietnam war then made a name for himself with discipline and dedication. The Angels were a great franchise for the decade after he purchased them. The 2009 Angels were fantastic and drafted Mike Trout. But a man that can make an empire has had trouble restraining himself from getting involved. That’s the mindset of a self-made man and life-long leader. He needs to sell it and ride off into the sunset.
I can’t say I’m surprised. I was calling this signing a bust last year, but a few Angel fans got on me stating that I was overreacting. Sure.
Most people were calling this deal a bust the day it was signed.
@orange2001. It was early last season. I think it was more about the cheap option, and people saying it was too early to call. I say now it’s closer to you being correct and I’ll take the L.
Angels fans relax
Your BP is gonna be fine
You still got kenley jansen
Oh wait they let him walk
Ok they got romano – 8.23 era yikes
Ok they got kirby yates only 5.23 era 3 full runs better than romano
Yea this is gonna be bad sorry anaheim
@Salem- Not as bad as your attempt at humor.
Remember the 02 angels, watch them repeat theirv2002 performance 24 years later in 2026. Why not
I am “opto mystic” 🌝🌝🌝
They’re probably talented enough to play that style of small ball, as there have been glimpses thus spring, but the entire pitching staff is no where close.
Remember the 2025 Angels?
Guess I’m a realist.
$33 million for a 10 innings yet not even top 5 worst Angels contracts. Barely scraping top 10.
Rendon
Hamilton
Matthews Jr.
Harvey (who also sold drugs in the clubhouse)
Pujols was a bad one but helped with the TV deal.
Wells was a trade but they gave up Napoli to take on that horrible contract.
Then maybe this one.
Suzuki: it’s a little setback
*a few moments later*
Stephenson: it’s heartbreaking
Justin Upton, Mo Vaughn…
Mo Vaughn was not a bad signing. He averaged 30+ HR and a 100+ RBI’s for the Angels the 2 seasons he played for them before being shipped to the Mets for Kevin Appier.
Who also had a long-term underwater contract.
Thor for $21M
Upton 5 yrs $106M
Even on a smaller scale, signing David Fletcher to a long term deal looks crazy in hindsight.
I mean, I’m not a fan of Arte, but I kinda see where he can be frustrated about signing guys who never seem to live up to their contract.
Popular signings at the time, too.
Torii is probably the last FA who was worth every penny.
It’s pretty bad when the list is so long I leave out this many.
Former Cleveland closer too.
Double digit games back finishes for literally a decade.
His career is over.
Buh bye Robert. We hardly knew ya.
Feel for this guy. Ooof.
Dear Perry,
I would like to give you some advice that all 29 other big league general managers know. Or most fans with common sense knows
1. Singing or trading for any pitcher with a history of arm problems that pitcher will still have arm problems. Coming to the Angels will not magically give them healing powers.
2. Singing middle infielders trying to stay in the show or were released by other teams is not the best thing to try. Plus shortstop is set. Hey none of them have hit above .241 in five years so why not right
3. Trading away 37 home runs from a line up that can’t score and not replace them is a brilliant idea
4. Singing several players that have not hit above .230 in three seasons thinking they can do it all of a sudden usually will not work.
5. Trading for a player when a team is willing to pay more than 1/2’his salary for you to take him. There is a reason why that team wants to make the test You have become the get rid of a player get well card
6. Signing minor league castoffs from the team you worked for previously is stupid . There is a reason why they are castoffs
7. Signing 31 relief pitchers in your tenure as our gm. Not exactly has worked out has it? You released 23 of them before the season ended
8. Signing players with a history of injury and expecting them to be healthy all of a sudden. I guess the team medical staff needs something to do. Usually will not work out
Finally
Hire your 4th manager and this new one has not even managed at the little league level and give him a one year deal. Any baseball person with half a brain can figure out what’s gonna happen
Like ESPN said about you. “CLUELESS GM”
Perhaps you should back to being a bat boy or work parking.
Once your fired it will fill a gaping hole at the GM position
Signed
A very satisfied fan
Oh PS
Artie was right.. and God I hate winning!!!!!
Operation extreme redundancy the quest for 110 loss season is moving along at a perfect pace
He had decent season for the Rays his last season with them. I’m sure thats why the Angels took a flier on him. A pitcher can get a arm injury without any warning.
DolemiteisMyname
He had decent season for the Rays his last season with them.
=================
The duration of his success was almost -0- compared to most FAs. He had a career ERA of 4.90 over 7 seasons before going to Pitt. He had an ERA of 5.14 with Pitt. Even with TB, his only area of success was from 8/11/23 until season-end. He had about 7.75 seasons of failure, followed by 7 weeks of success (probably throwing his arm out in the process).
@Soccer
Do your research if you’re going to keep writing you long winded responses.
Billy Eppler hired Maddon.
Nevin replaced Maddon who was on his staff (3rd Base Coach)
Perry hired Washington and Suzuki.
Perry gave Nevin the job. #1
Gave Washington the job #2
Gave Montgomery the temp job. #3
Decided not to keep either
Hired Suzuki. #4
So research done and correct
Okay you want to split hairs.
Perry went to Maddon’s house with the intent to fire the coaching staff.
Maddon talked Perry out of it and resigned So Perry installed Nevin (Not really a hire per se)
Same with Montgomery. Washington.goes on medial leave. Montgomery was the dugout coach.slides into Manager position. Had the “interim “ tag Not a hire. Just a stop gap with the idea Washington would return.
What is the point
Crappy gm crappy managers. Joke a roster. Period
Rather he istallled or hired. Still his selection. How many general managers get the chance to hire two managers, let alone four
@Soccer There’s a difference between being hired and being promoted. When you’re being promoted you’re being used as a stop gap to finish out the season. Show me why I should remove the the “promotion” tag. You’re auditioning.Again he didn’t hire Nevin and Montgomery He promoted them.
I agree there, he did not hire those two.
But he promoted them when he could have gone outside and got someone either way. Their his hires and it shows the incompetence
You contradicted yourself.
He’s a thief
Was the last good free agent signing Torri Hunter?
You don’t think Pujols was a good signing?
No. For the Angels he averaged 1.25 bWAR a year.
I read Torii and Albert got into a fight that first season Albert was with the Angels. It happened during a game at Tampa Bay
Stephenson’s entering year three with the Halos, and somehow the right-hander has barely pitched a fraction of what was supposed to be a three‑year, $33 million deal. At this point it’s not even a facepalm 🤦♂️ it’s a full hand‑to‑the‑forehead, slap‑the‑desk, stare‑at-the-ceiling moment.
Perry Minasian basically watched one hot month Stephenson at the end of a season and said, “Yup, that’s the guy. Back up the truck. And Stephenson? Man hit the Powerball without even buying a ticket. Signed on Day 1, cashed every check, barely threw a baseball.
Between Perry’s impulse buys and Arte’s “mystery budget,The Halos keep spending like it’s 1999 with no return
At this point, Stephenson’s contract is the perfect symbol of the Arte/Perry era
Big promises, big money, and somehow no innings, no results, no payoff. No ACStephenson’s entering year three with the Halos, and somehow the right-hander has barely pitched a fraction of what was supposed to be a three‑year, $33 million deal. At this point it’s not even a facepalm — it’s a full hand‑to‑the‑forehead, slap‑the‑desk, stare‑at-the-ceiling moment.
Perry Minasian basically watched one hot month at the end of a season and said, “Yup, that’s the guy. Back up the truck.” And Stephenson? Man hit the Powerball without even buying a ticket. Signed on Day 1, cashed every check, barely threw a baseball.
Between Perry’s impulse buys and Arte’s “mystery budget,” I feel like I’m the one who’s gone through serious money with nothing to show for it. The Halos keep spending like they’re building a contender, but the return looks more like a clearance rack scratch‑off.
At this point, Stephenson’s contract is the perfect symbol of the Arte/Perry era: Arte doesn’t like winning good security, good food good fireworks, and a nice bobble head
Big promises, big money, and somehow… no innings, no results, no payoff.
Another disappointing contract