ANAHEIM -- The Angels added a major reinforcement to their bullpen on Wednesday, activating right-hander Robert Stephenson from the 60-day injured list.
They also shuffled their roster, bringing up utilityman Scott Kingery and designating infielder Tim Anderson for assignment. Additionally, left-hander Jake Eder was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake and catcher Chuckie Robinson was DFA'd.
Stephenson is coming off Tommy John surgery last April but impressed in his club debut on Wednesday night after signing a three-year deal worth $33 million before last season. Stephenson, who had a 3.10 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings with the Pirates and Rays in 2023, made five rehab appearances. The eight-year veteran had a 3.60 ERA with five strikeouts and no walks during his stint in the Minors.
He carried that over with a 1-2-3 sixth inning in a 1-0 loss to the Yankees at Angel Stadium and he struck out the first two batters he faced. It was his first big league action since Sept. 30, 2023.
"It feels surreal, honestly,” Stephenson said. “It had been 13 months since I had surgery and about 20 months since my last big league game. It just felt surreal to be back on a big league mound.”
"I was thinking about this the other day and, honestly, it’s up there with making my debut for me,” Stephenson said. “I feel like it’s pretty special for me.”
It was a good day on the injury front for the Angels, as superstar Mike Trout also faced a Minor League pitcher before Wednesday’s game and ran the bases without any issues. Trout, who has been out since April 30 with a bone bruise in his left knee, is expected to be activated from the IL at some point during the club’s upcoming road trip, most likely on Monday in Boston.
"He came out of it very well,” manager Ron Washington said. “He had good at-bats against the live pitching. And he ran the bases where he ran, cut on the bases and stopped, but it wasn't intense. It was just getting on the field. But he looked good.”
Stephenson, 32, said he completed his rehab quicker than expected, as he was initially targeting a return by the All-Star break. He’ll still need to work his into pitching on consecutive days, but otherwise said he has no limitations and has been pleased with the way he’s felt. His velocity has been impressive, with his fastball topping out at 98 mph in his last outing on Sunday, and he said his slider has been sharp while his splitter is coming around.
He’s looking to duplicate his dominant stint with Tampa Bay two years ago, when he had a 2.35 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings. But the Angels are likely to have him build up into a high-leverage role to start out.
"The outings that I've had on the rehab assignment, I felt like everything's been pretty much right where I wanted to be, and I'm happy with it,” Stephenson said. “I just need a little bit more time getting the split dialed in, but I think the main pitches that I need are the slider and the fastball. And those have been great.”
Kingery, meanwhile, had his contract selected from Salt Lake and made his way back to the Majors for the first time since 2022. The former top prospect, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Phillies, had been hitting well at Triple-A, batting .373/.418/.578 with two homers, five doubles, three triples and 12 RBIs in 21 games. The 31-year-old missed time early in the season with a hamstring strain, but he has been swinging a hot bat.
"It’s awesome,” Kingery said. “I’m super excited to be here and get to work. It’s been a while since I’ve been up here. Just all the hard work that I've put in since then. It's special to be back.”
He replaced Anderson, who signed a Minor League deal in the offseason but struggled offensively for a third straight season after he was an All-Star with the White Sox in ‘21 and ‘22. Anderson, 31, batted .205/.258/.241 with three doubles, one stolen base and three RBIs in 31 games for the Angels. He saw action at shortstop and second base.
Kingery brings versatility, as he saw time at second base, shortstop and center field at Salt Lake. He gives the Angels another veteran who can play multiple positions, joining Chris Taylor, who signed a one-year deal with the club on Monday.
Kingery, who wasn't in the starting lineup on Wednesday, is a career .229/.280/.387 hitter with 30 homers, 25 stolen bases and 96 RBIs in 325 games with the Phillies from 2018-22.
“Kingery was doing a really good job down there, and he was on our radar during Spring Training, but we decided now was the time to give him a shot,” Washington said. “He's going to play a little outfield and some infield. So he’s another utility guy.”