Player Outlook
After battling elbow soreness throughout camp, Robert Stephenson opened last season on the injured list. He was activated in mid-April and struggled to a 5.14 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 14 innings with Pittsburgh. An early-season trade to Tampa Bay accompanied a pitch mix change for the right-hander, as Stephenson implemented a cutter that was devastating to opposing hitters. In fact, it was one of the best pitches in all of baseball, generating a 59.9% whiff rate that was second-highest in the league among all pitch types. It helped the 30-year-old generate a career-best 38.8% strikeout rate, 24.0% swinging strike percentage and 30.4 K-BB% that was second-best among qualified relievers. Stephenson's breakout season and career-best ratios -- including a 0.88 WHIP -- should land him in the closer role with the Angels after he signed a three-year deal in January.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
sv
Saves
so
Strikeouts
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
era
Earned Run Average
whip
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
2024 0.00 0.00
2023 139.52.3 52.3 3 4 1 77 16 3.10 0.88
2022 92.51.6 58.0 2 2 55 14 5.43 1.33
3y Avg. 112.52 52.0 2 2 1 61 16 3.98 1.17
Projections Powered by
Fantasy Performance by Week
19%
Roster
6%
Start
#32
RP Rank

Fantasy News

  • Angels' Robert Stephenson: Still battling discomfort

    Manager Ron Washington said Stephenson continues to deal with right shoulder discomfort and may not be ready by Opening Day, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. The 31-year-old appeared back on track for a high-leverage role to start the season after being slowed early in camp by shoulder soreness, but the renewed discomfort puts his availability in jeopardy. Stephenson's outlook will depend on how quickly the issue subsides, but a trip to the injured list to begin the campaign wouldn't be surprising.
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  • Angels' Robert Stephenson: Expected to be ready by opener

    Angels manager Ron Washington said Wednesday that Stephenson (shoulder) will have time to get the appearances he needs in order to be ready for Opening Day, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. The right-hander is working his way back from a sore pitching shoulder, but it sounds like he'll be part of the Halos' Opening Day bullpen. Stephenson will throw a bullpen session Wednesday and, assuming that goes off without a hitch, he will throw off the mound again this weekend. If healthy, Stephenson is slated for setup duties ahead of closer Carlos Estevez.
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  • Angels' Robert Stephenson: Uncertain for Opening Day

    Stephenson (shoulder) admitted Thursday that he's not sure he'll be ready in time for Opening Day, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. Stephenson was able to play catch Wednesday as he works his way back from right shoulder soreness. While the reliever is confident he'll be pitching in Cactus League games before the schedule runs out, he's less certain about getting in enough work to be ready by March 28. The good news is that this does not currently appear to be a long-term injury, rather Stephenson could just need more time to be fully ramped up. The setup man was signed to a three-year, $33 million contract in January.
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  • Angels' Robert Stephenson: Nursing shoulder soreness

    Stephenson has been dealing with right shoulder soreness but will play catch Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. Stephenson has yet to make a Cactus League appearance, and Fletcher's report helps clarify why the veteran reliever hasn't debuted. It's certainly a good sign that he'll resume throwing Wednesday, but he'll need to check off additional boxes before being cleared for spring games. Assuming he's fully healthy for Opening Day, Stephenson is slated for a setup role with the Angels ahead of closer Carlos Estevez.
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  • Angels' Robert Stephenson: Signs with Angels

    Stephenson agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract with the Angels on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports. With Josh Hader landing in Houston, Stephenson was one the better relievers left on the market. He had a breakout 2023 campaign, during which he maintained a 3.10 ERA and 0.88 WHIP to go along with a 77:16 K:BB across 52.1 innings while pitching primarily with the Rays. Stephenson also proved capable of working in a high-leverage role by racking up 15 holds, and he should be in contention for saves alongside Carlos Estevez with his new club.
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  • Rays' Robert Stephenson: Picks up save

    Stephenson struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save Wednesday against the Twins. Colin Poche was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and got the first two outs while also allowing a walk. Stephenson followed and struck out Christian Vazquez on three pitches to end the game and tally his first save of the season. Stephenson has been excellent since joining the Rays by maintaining a 2.43 ERA and 0.69 WHIP with a 53:8 K:BB across 33.1 innings. However, he isn't likely to see more save chances with Pete Fairbanks -- who was likely unavailable Wednesday due to a heavy recent workload -- locked in as the team's closer.
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  • Rays' Robert Stephenson: Traded to Rays

    The Rays acquired Stephenson from the Pirates on Friday in exchange for minor-league infielder Alika Williams, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports. Stephenson has a 5.14 ERA for the Pirates this season and a 5.38 ERA over 76 relief appearances since the beginning of 2022. However, the 2011 first-round pick still has pretty good stuff and can miss bats, particularly with his slider. It's the kind of profile the Rays usually get the most out of, but Stephenson can be expected to work in low-leverage situations initially.
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  • Pirates' Robert Stephenson: Activated from injured list

    Stephenson (elbow) was activated Friday from the 15-day injured list. Stephenson will join the Pirates' bullpen Friday night in St. Louis after missing the first three weeks of the 2023 regular season due to right elbow soreness. He could eventually work his way into a prominent setup role, though Pittsburgh's relief corps has been impressive all around in the early going.
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  • Pirates' Robert Stephenson: Beginning rehab assignment

    Stephenson (elbow) is set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Indianapolis, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports. Stephenson was placed on the 15-day injured list Opening Day, retroactive to March 27, after being slowed this spring by lingering right elbow soreness. He appears to be on track to join the Pirates' bullpen as soon as he is first eligible for activation.
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  • Pirates' Robert Stephenson: Placed on 15-day IL

    Stephenson (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27. Stephenson managed to get into Grapefruit League action before spring training came to an end, but he'll require a little more build-up after battling lingering right elbow soreness for most of camp.
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  • Pirates' Robert Stephenson: Likely headed for IL stint

    Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Tuesday that Stephenson (elbow) is likely to open the season on the injured list, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports. Stephenson made his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday afternoon against the Phillies, but he issued two walks and gave up two hits in his one inning of work. The 30-year-old right-hander has been slowed all spring by lingering elbow soreness, and the Pirates apparently feel like he needs more recovery time.
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  • Pirates' Robert Stephenson: Available to pitch Tuesday

    Stephenson (elbow) is listed as available out of the Pirates' bullpen for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game versus the Phillies, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports. Stephenson has been out all spring with right elbow soreness, but he's been throwing of late with no issues and is now cleared for game action. He'll try to get in a few appearances ahead of Opening Day before serving as a setup man for David Bednar.
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  • Pirates' Robert Stephenson: Dealing with arm discomfort

    Stephenson is dealing with some right arm discomfort to begin spring training, though he was able to throw Saturday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. The severity of the issue is unclear, though the fact Stephenson hasn't been shut down from throwing is an encouraging sign. Even if it's a minor injury, the Pirates are likely to exercise caution with the right-hander early in camp.
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  • Pirates' Robert Stephenson: Avoids arbitration

    Stephenson signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Pirates on Friday to avoid arbitration, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports. It was a tale of two seasons for Stephenson in 2022. After posting a 6.04 ERA and 1.48 WHIP with the Rockies, he was pushed off their roster and was claimed by the Pirates in late August. Upon joining Pittsburgh, Stephenson put up a 3.38 ERA and 0.82 WHIP to close out the season. If the 29-year-old righty can carry that success with Pittsburgh over into 2023, there's a good chance he establishes himself as the team's primary setup man.
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  • Pirates' Robert Stephenson: Activated Sunday

    The Pirates activated Stephenson on Sunday. Since Stephenson doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, the Pirates were required to add him to the 26-man active roster after claiming him off waivers from the Rockies on Saturday. Pittsburgh cleared a spot on the roster for the reliever by placing starter JT Brubaker (personal) on the paternity list. Stephenson should be available out of the bullpen for Sunday's series finale in Philadelphia.
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  • Pirates' Robert Stephenson: Claimed by Pirates

    Stephenson was claimed off waivers by the Pirates on Saturday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports. Stephenson made 45 relief appearances for the Rockies this year and posted a 6.04 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 44.2 innings before being designated for assignment Thursday. He's expected to join the Pirates' bullpen and should serve mainly as a middle reliever for his new club.
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  • Rockies' Robert Stephenson: Pushed off roster

    The Rockies designated Stephenson for assignment Thursday. The transaction clears a spot on the 26-man active roster for right-hander Chad Kuhl (hip), who was activated from the 15-day injured list with the expectation that he'll rejoin the rotation during this weekend's series with the Mets. Stephenson delivered underwhelming numbers while mostly working in a middle-relief role for the Rockies this season, producing a 6.04 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 44.2 innings.
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  • Rockies' Robert Stephenson: Returns from injured list

    Stephenson (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday and allowed two earned runs on two hits in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader loss to the Nationals, which marked his first appearance since being activated. In his first outing in a week following his stint on the IL, Stephenson served up a two-run home run to Riley Adams in the eighth inning. Stephenson now owns a 5.56 ERA and 1.59 WHIP across 11.1 frames this season, and he will likely continue to occupy a low-leverage role out of the Rockies bullpen.
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  • Rockies' Robert Stephenson: Rejoins team

    Stephenson (illness) rejoined the Rockies on Thursday, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports. Stephenson was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Monday, but he's feeling better Thursday and has cleared the league's health and safety protocols. The right-hander is expected to be activated at some point during the team's weekend series against Washington.
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  • Rockies' Robert Stephenson: Hits COVID-19 IL again

    The Rockies placed Stephenson on the COVID-19-related injured list Monday. He finds himself on the COVID-19 for the second time this season, after previously missing just under two weeks in April following a positive test for the virus. Since he was cleared to make his season debut April 20, Stephenson has posted a 4.35 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 10.1 innings out of the Colorado bullpen.
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