Robert Stephenson out for 2024 season with elbow injury

ST. PETERSBURG — Reliever Robert Stephenson’s first season with the Angels is over before he even threw a pitch with the club.

Stephenson will miss the 2024 season with a right elbow injury, the club announced after Wednesday’s 5-4 win over the Rays. It’s a major blow for the Angels, as Stephenson was their biggest addition in the offseason. He was signed to a three-year deal worth $33 million to be the club’s primary setup reliever.

The Angels, though, signed Stephenson to a unique contract deal that has a conditional $2.5 million team option for 2027 if he sustained damage to an elbow ligament that required an injured list stint of at least 130 straight days. The Angels will now be able to keep Stephenson in ‘27 for $2.5 million but have until after the 2026 season to make that determination.

Stephenson dealt with right shoulder discomfort in Spring Training and opened the year on the injured list. He made one rehab appearance with Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday but was removed after throwing just four pitches, all balls, and complained of elbow discomfort.

He underwent further testing on his elbow this week, including receiving a second opinion. The Angels will announce more details on Thursday, but Stephenson is expected to undergo a season-ending operation of some kind.

Stephenson, 31, is coming off a strong season that saw him post a combined 3.10 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings with the Pirates and Rays. He found his groove with Tampa Bay, recording a 2.35 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings.

He has eight years of big league experience with a career 4.64 ERA and 406 strikeouts in 364 1/3 innings with the Reds, Rockies, Pirates and Rays.

With Stephenson out, the Angels will turn to lefty Matt Moore as their primary setup reliever and will also use Adam Cimber, Luis García and Hunter Strickland in that role.