LA Angels fans won’t like prized free agent Robert Stephenson’s injury update

This offseason, Robert Stephenson, a former first-round selection who had a good season with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023, inked a three-year, $33 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

Sadly, the early returns are in, and they’re not good news for Angels fans. Stephenson has an issue on his shoulder. Furthermore, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, Stephenson is certain that he will throw in games this spring, but he is unsure if the injury will allow him enough time to recover in time for Opening Day.

If Stephenson is a no-go for Opening Day, that’ll be a major blow to the Angels bullpen. While the club re-signed Matt Moore and made some other additions to the relief corps, Stephenson is expected to be a fixture in the back of the Halos’ pen in 2024.

After being traded to the Rays during the season last year, Stephenson—who was signed by the Pirates at first—had an outstanding debut in Tampa. Stephenson had a 0.678 WHIP and 60 punchouts in 38.1 innings pitched over 42 appearances. For the second part of the season, one could argue that Stephenson was among the finest relievers in baseball.

Stephenson was viewed as a failed starter going into the Rays, but his success there helped him land a huge three-year deal from the Angels. Furthermore, although Stephenson’s contract has a provision that would extend his term by an additional year in the case that he had Tommy John surgery, there is no such language regarding shoulder strain.