The Los Angeles Angels' bullpen rebuild has hit another significant setback. Right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson, who signed a three-year, $33 million deal before the 2024 season, will miss the remainder of the 2025 campaign after undergoing elbow surgery.

This latest procedure marks a brutal turn in Stephenson's tenure with the Angels. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024, he managed only 12 appearances this season before suffering a setback. Reports indicate the surgery addressed damage to his ulnar collateral ligament and flexor muscle, meaning he will now miss a full season for the second time in three years.

For the Angels, it's a frustrating outcome for an investment that showed immense promise. Stephenson was coming off a spectacular 2023 season with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he dominated hitters with a staggering 42.9% strikeout rate. The club had hoped he would anchor their bullpen for years to come.

This injury further complicates an Angels pitching staff that took several calculated risks this past offseason, bringing in veterans like Drew Pomeranz and Jordan Romano. As the team looks ahead, all eyes will be on Stephenson's recovery timeline for 2026, while the search for reliable late-inning arms continues.