Angels sign RHP Robert Stephenson to 3-year, $33M contract

Field Level Media|published: Tue 23rd January, 16:30 2024

Sep 6, 2023; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Robert Stephenson (26) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning at Tropicana Field. credits: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Angels have signed free agent reliever Robert Stephenson to a three-year contract worth $33 million, the team said Tuesday.

In a corresponding move on the 40-man roster, the Angels designated infielder Alfonso Rivas for assignment.

The right-handed Stephenson, 30, played last season for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays, totaling a 3-4 record and one save with a 3.10 ERA, 77 strikeouts and 16 walks over 52 1/3 innings in a career-high 60 relief appearances.

According to the Angels, Stephenson led Major League Baseball (minimum 50 innings pitched) with a 46.5 percent swing-and-miss rate, ranking third-best in a single season since 1988. Only Edwin Diaz (49.9 percent with the New York Mets in 2022) and Brad Lidge (48.1 percent with the Houston Astros in 2004) were better.

The Cincinnati Reds selected Stephenson 27th overall in the 2011 MLB Draft.

He has played in 271 MLB games (22 starts) with a 17-20 record, three saves, a 4.64 ERA, 406 strikeouts and 159 walks in 364 1/3 innings. He has pitched for the Reds (2016-20), Colorado Rockies (2021-22), Pirates and Rays.

Rivas, 27, is a career .243 hitter in 404 at-bats over 167 games for the Chicago Cubs (2012-22), San Diego Padres (2023) and Pirates (2023).

—Field Level Media