ANAHEIM – The Angels today agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract with RHP Robert Stephenson. In a corresponding 40-man roster move, INF Alfonso Rivas has been designated for assignment.
Stephenson, 30, split the 2023 season between Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay, going 3-4 with one save and a 3.10 ERA (52.1 IP – 18 ER) and 77 strikeouts in a career-high 60 relief appearances. He led the Majors (min. 50 IP) with a 46.5% swing-and-miss rate, which also ranks as the third-best single season percentage since 1988, behind Edwin Diaz (49.9% in 2022 for Mets) and Brad Lidge (48.1% in 2004 for Astros).
A native of Martinez, CA, Stephenson was a first round selection (27th overall) by Cincinnati in the 2011 Draft out of Alhambra HS (Martinez, CA). He has totaled 271 career games (22 starts) across parts of eight Major League seasons with the Reds (2016-20), Rockies (2021-22), Pirates (2023) and Rays (2023).
