Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Robert Stephenson has had to undergo another season-ending surgery, this time for ligament and flexor repair, which will conclude his 2026 season. Stephenson, who signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Angels prior to the 2024 season, has struggled with injuries, missing the entirety of the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery. He made a brief return in May 2025, but after just two appearances, he was placed back on the injured list. Although he returned towards the end of August 2025 and made 10 appearances, he suffered another injury that kept him off the mound. General Manager Perry Minasian initially believed Stephenson's injury was not serious, but he later faced a setback while dealing with symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome during spring training. His teammate, Suzuki, expressed disappointment over the setback, noting that Stephenson was eager to return to form. Meanwhile, the Angels' bullpen has performed decently this season, ranking 11th in ERA, showing improvement despite Stephenson's ongoing absence.