ANAHEIM — The Angels are finally going to get a chance to see their $33 million investment.
Right-hander Robert Stephenson was activated on Wednesday, the culmination of nearly 14 months rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
Stephenson said there were some extra emotions that came with putting his name onto an active major league roster for the first time since 2023.
“Honestly, it’s up there with making my debut,” he said. “It’s pretty special.”
A few hours later, Stephenson pitched a perfect inning against the New York Yankees, striking out two.
The Angels signed Stephenson as a free agent in January 2024, inking him to a relatively large deal for a relief pitcher based on what he’d shown down the stretch in 2023.
After posting a 5.14 ERA in his first 18 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Stephenson was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays. They suggested a tweak to the way he threw his slider, and the results were eye-opening. Stephenson had a 2.35 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 38⅓ innings with the Rays.
Although Stephenson, 32, got hurt before he could pitch in a game with the Angels, he said he believes that slider – which is sometimes identified as a cutter – is still there. His fastball averaged 97.2 mph during his final Triple-A outing on Sunday. It was 96.8 mph in 2023.
“Definitely,” he said. “These outings that I’ve had on the rehab assignment, I felt everything’s been pretty much right where I want it to be. I’m happy with it. I just need a little more time getting the split dialed in, but the main pitches that I need are the slider and the fastball, and those have been great.”
Stephenson said he initially was expecting that he wouldn’t be back until around the All-Star break, but the rehab went so smoothly that he was activated after just five innings in the minors.
The Angels have been trying to piece together a reliable bullpen since right-hander Ben Joyce has been out. (Joyce is now done for the season, after undergoing shoulder surgery.)
It remains to be seen how Stephenson will be used. He hasn’t pitched more than one inning and he hasn’t pitched on back-to-back days, so he won’t do either of those things initially.
Manager Ron Washington also said the plan is to wait before using him in high-leverage spots.
“I would hope that we give him a chance to get settled in,” Washington said. “But you know, if the opportunity presents itself, and he’s the best we have at the time, (pitching in a high-leverage spot) will happen. But that’s not our intention right now.”
The Angels opened a spot for Stephenson on the active roster by optioning left-hander Jake Eder. They designated catcher Chuckie Robinson for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Stephenson.
KINGERY TOO
Utilityman Scott Kingery had waited even longer than Stephenson to get back to the big leagues. Kingery was added to the Angels’ roster on Wednesday. He last played in the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies for one game in 2022. The last time he played regularly was 2020.
Kingery, 31, simply hadn’t lived up to his potential with the Phillies, so they kept him in the minors for most of that time.
The Angels acquired him over the winter for his versatility. He can play center field, shortstop, second base and third.
After missing the start of the Triple-A season with a hamstring injury, Kingery had a .373 average with a .996 OPS in his last 21 games at Salt Lake. The Angels have been struggling to get production in center field or second base, so Kingery could be plugged in to either of those spots.
“He was doing a very good job down there,” Washington said. “He was on our radar when we went to spring training, so we decided it’s time to give him a shot.”
The Angels designated veteran Tim Anderson for assignment, opening spots for Kingery on the 26- and 40-man rosters.
This could be the end of Anderson’s 10-year major league career. Anderson, 31, hit .205 with a .499 OPS in 90 plate appearances.
TROUT UPDATE
Mike Trout faced an Angels minor league pitcher on Wednesday afternoon, simulating game-speed at-bats. Trout also ran the bases, more aggressively than he did the day before, but still at less than 100%.
The three-time American League MVP is inching closer to a return. At this point, the only remaining step is seemingly for him to run the bases at 100%. The Angels want to make sure the bone bruise in his left knee isn’t aggravated by quick stops or turns on the bases.
“He came out of it very well,” Washington said. “He had good at-bats against the live pitching, and he ran the bases where he ran, cutting the bases and stopping, but it wasn’t intense. It was just getting a feel. But he looked good.”
Trout has been on the injured list since May 1.
NOTES
Right-hander José Fermin (right elbow impingement) threw a bullpen session. Fermin is headed to Arizona to pitch in minor league games next. …
Left-hander Garrett McDaniels (left biceps tendinitis) began his rehab assignment with a scoreless inning in the Arizona League on Tuesday. …
Right-hander Shaun Anderson, who was designated for assignment over the weekend, cleared waivers, but then re-signed with the Angels on a minor-league deal.
UP NEXT
Angels (RHP José Soriano, 3-5, 3.73 ERA) at Guardians (RHP Luis Ortiz, 2-5, 4.73 ERA), Friday, 4:10 p.m. PT, FDSN West, 830 AM