Angels Reliever Undergoes Another Season-Ending Surgery

Robert Stephenson's injury woes continue, forcing him to miss another year with the Angels.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:20pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented motion of a baseball pitcher, with sharp planes of navy, slate, and charcoal colors overlapping to create a sense of dynamic movement and instability.The Angels' bullpen faces a significant challenge as veteran reliever Robert Stephenson undergoes yet another season-ending surgery, exposing the fragility of even the most talented pitchers.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Robert Stephenson has undergone ligament and flexor repair surgery, ending his 2026 season. Stephenson, who signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Angels in 2024, has struggled with injuries throughout his time with the team, including missing the entire 2024 season after Tommy John surgery and making only 12 appearances over the 2025 and 2026 seasons due to various elbow issues.

Why it matters

The Angels' bullpen has been a weak spot in recent seasons, and Stephenson's continued absence is a significant blow as the team looks to improve its pitching staff and make a playoff push. The team's general manager had expressed optimism about Stephenson's recovery, but a setback in spring training has now led to another season-ending surgery.

The details

Stephenson first underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024, causing him to miss the entire season. He returned in May 2025 but made only two appearances before landing back on the injured list. Stephenson did come back towards the end of the 2025 season, making 10 appearances, but was shut down again with another elbow injury. The latest surgery is to repair ligament and flexor issues, and the team is hopeful he can return to full health in 2027.

  • Stephenson signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Angels ahead of the 2024 season.
  • He missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
  • Stephenson returned in May 2025 but made only two appearances before landing back on the injured list.
  • He came back towards the end of Aug. 2025, making 10 appearances, but landed back on the injured list towards the end of the season.
  • Stephenson suffered a setback in spring training 2026 while attempting to pitch through thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms.

The players

Robert Stephenson

A relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels who has struggled with injuries throughout his time with the team, including missing the entire 2024 season after Tommy John surgery and making only 12 appearances over the 2025 and 2026 seasons due to various elbow issues.

Perry Minasian

The general manager of the Los Angeles Angels who expressed optimism about Stephenson's recovery, but has now seen the pitcher undergo another season-ending surgery.

Suzuki

A member of the Angels organization who stated that Stephenson was in a good mental state and excited to be back on the mound before suffering a setback in spring training.

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What they’re saying

“This guy wants to pitch, this guy wants to be good. Up until he had that setback in spring training, he was in a good spot mentally. He was excited, he was happy to be back on the mound. So this is heartbreaking.”

— Suzuki

What’s next

The Angels will hope that Stephenson can fully recover from this latest surgery and be ready to contribute to the team's bullpen in the 2027 season.

The takeaway

Stephenson's continued injury struggles are a significant setback for the Angels, who were hoping he could be a key part of their bullpen after signing him to a lucrative contract. The team's pitching staff has improved this season, but Stephenson's absence leaves a hole that will be difficult to fill. The Angels will need to carefully manage Stephenson's recovery and hope he can finally stay healthy and productive in the future.