Angels reliever Robert Stephenson has announced he will undergo Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure next week, as reported by Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.
This setback will likely keep him out for a few months into the 2025 season. Stephenson was already set to miss the entirety of the 2024 season due to an elbow injury, with surgery becoming increasingly likely. His hope is to return early next year, but the typical recovery time for Tommy John surgery is 14-16 months.
This unfortunate turn comes after Stephenson’s delayed start with the Angels due to a shoulder issue and then experiencing elbow pain during his first rehab outing for Triple-A Salt Lake, which revealed UCL damage.
This injury affects his contract, as his deal included a conditional option for the 2027 season triggered by a serious elbow injury. While he will earn $11M annually over the next three years, the Angels now have a more modest $2.5M club option for 2027.
The team had high hopes for Stephenson, envisioning him as a key part of their bullpen setup after his impressive performance with the Rays, where he posted a 2.35 ERA and a 42.9% strikeout rate in 38 1/3 innings last June. However, he will now miss his entire age-31 season, with the option year covering his age-34 season.
