Stephenson Sees Giants Light in Promising Future
Angels reliever Robert Stephenson is undergoing further evaluation on his right elbow, putting his availability for the 2026 season in doubt.
Los Angeles Angels right handed pitcher Robert Stephenson (24) delivers a pitch during the MLB game against the Chicago Cubs Friday August 22nd, 2025 at Angel's Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. TEMPE, Ariz. -- Right-hander Robert Stephenson entered Spring Training hoping he could build back strength in his elbow and be ready for Opening Day.
Instead, the veteran reliever now faces uncertainty about whether he will pitch at all during the 2026 season. Stephenson became emotional while discussing his latest setback before the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Seattle Mariners, 6–2, on Saturday at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Stephenson, 33, had already endured a long recovery path after missing the entire 2024 season following surgery on his right elbow.
His most recent issue occurred during a live throwing session in camp when he noticed something unusual on a fastball release. “It wasn’t like anything I’d really felt before,” Stephenson said. “It didn’t feel exactly like a torn UCL.
It didn’t feel exactly like the nerve stuff at the end of last year. It’s just something different. ” According to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.