Angels Activate $33 Million Reliever, Send Down Pitcher Without Him Getting Into Game

Apr 7, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Chase Silseth (63) throws against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Angels activated right-handed relief pitcher Robert Stephenson from the 60-day injured list on Friday, filling the hole starting pitcher Chase Silseth left after the Halos optioned him to Triple-A on Thursday.

#Angels transactions:
•Reinstated RHP Robert Stephenson from injured list
•Following Wednesday’s game, RHP Chase Silseth was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake

— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) August 22, 2025

Stephenson has spent most of this season on the injured list, and is a big addition to a scrambling Angels bullpen.

The 32-year-old reliever missed all of 2024 recovering from Tommy John surgery after the Halos signed him, and didn't return until late May.

He pitched a shutout inning against the Yankees in his first game off the injured list, however he left his next outing against the Cleveland Guardians after just three pitched and landed back on the injured list.

“It’s been two years of not playing,”Stephenson said after his injury.“It’s frustrating.”

More news: Angels Could Get Significant Bullpen Reinforcement Back This Weekend.

Stephenson's last full season came in 2023, when he split time between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays. The Pirates traded Stephenson after he struggled early in the season, however he broke out as an elite reliever on the Rays. Through 42 games with Tampa Bay that season, he had a 2.35 ERA and struck out 60 batters in 38.1 appearances.

The Halos called up Silseth ahead of their game Wednesday, moving starter Jose Soriano to the Paternity List, though he didn't feature in the Halos' 2-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

Silseth hasn't featured for the Halos this season, though appeared in 25 games in MLB from 2022-24. He has a career 5.06 ERA with the Angels in 89 innings, and has struck out 92 batters during that time.

In Triple-A this season, he has split time between coming out of the bullpen and starting, making seven starts in 15 appearances. He has a 3.50 ERA across those 15 appearances, recording two saves in the process.

He has allowed just one home run through 36 innings, and has struck out 41 batters as well.

More news: Is Kenley Jansen Going on Injured List? Angels Star Answers

The Angels begin a series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday, and could immediately throw Stephenson straight back into action after his successful rehab stint.

Tyler Anderson will take the mound for the first game of the series on Friday at 6:38 p.m. PT. The Angels have shown promise this season, but it remains to be seen whether the 2025 season will feature a postseason appearance from the Halos.

For more Angels news, head over to Angels on SI.