Cleveland Guardians right-handed pitcher Trevor Stephan (elbow) completed a bullpen session on Friday. Stephan is working his way back from the UCL reconstruction surgery he underwent in March 2024. This was his first time throwing off a mound and a significant step in his recovery process. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he could see his workload begin to increase. The 29-year-old last appeared in an MLB game during the 2023 season. During this campaign, the right-hander held a 4.06 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP. He tallied 75 punchouts across 68 2/3 innings. He generated whiffs at a strong 30.6 percent rate but struggled to command his pitches as he held a below average 8.8 percent rate. When Stephan is eventually cleared to return, he should have a middle-relief role in the Cleveland bullpen.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Trevor Stephan (elbow) continues to progress after undergoing right UCL reconstruction in March of last year. He has been able to progress his throwing distance out to 120 feet at the team's spring training complex in Arizona and is currently throwing five days a week. Stephan will likely start throwing off a mound later in February. It's good to hear that the 29-year-old hurler is making progress, but he's still fully expected to miss at least the first couple of months of the 2025 regular season. The former third-round pick of the New York Yankees in 2017 out of the University of Arkansas did not pitch at all in 2024 and has gone 16-13 with a decent 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, six saves and 232:75 K:BB in 68 2/3 innings over 180 relief appearances for the Guardians in his three seasons in the big leagues.

Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Trevor Stephan (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery in the next week or two and will miss the entire 2024 season. The right-hander had been shut down with what was referred to as a deep bone bruise in his elbow this spring and more recently had been seeking additional medical opinions on the issue. Stephan appeared in a hefty 71 games in the 2023 season, tied for 12th in baseball, working to a 4.06 ERA in that time. He also dominated to the tune of a 2.69 ERA alongside a big-time 24% K-BB% across 68 outings in the 2022 campaign. He was a solid asset in holds leagues, as he recorded 28 holds last season as the primary setup man to closer Emmanuel Clase.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Trevor Stephan (elbow) has a deep bone bruise in his throwing elbow and will be shut down for three weeks. There won't be enough time for Stephan to recover in time to be ready for Opening Day at the end of March, so he'll be forced to open the 2024 season on the injured list. The good news, though, is that the 28-year-old reliever doesn't have any structural damage in his arm, so he should be able to make his season debut at some point in April. Not having Stephan in the back of the bullpen early in the season will be a big blow to the Guardians relief corps. In his third MLB season last year, Stephan had a 4.06 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, two saves, 26 walks and 75 strikeouts in 68 2/3 relief innings. When healthy, Stephan is a solid source of holds in leagues that count points for that statistic.

Cleveland Guardians right-handed pitcher Trevor Stephan closed out the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, picking up his first save of the season. Stephan was called to action after the Guardians took a one-run lead in the 10th and subsequently set down the side in order, including a strikeout. Emmanuel Clase is firmly entrenched as the Guardians' closer, but he had pitched the previous two days and was unavailable. If anything, using Stephan in this situation shows that he could be used as a high-leverage arm for the Guardians. It could make for an interesting pickup in saves plus holds leagues as the righty hasn't allowed a run over his three innings of work so far.

The Guardians and relief pitcher Trevor Stephan agreed to a four-year extension on Wednesday. The financial details aren't public, although the deal includes two club options. The 27-year-old played in 66 games in 2022, amassing a 6-5 record with a 2.69 ERA, 82 strikeouts, and three saves (63 2/3 innings). Stephan has improved since entering the league, establishing himself as a quality reliever for the Guardians. However, the righty has a way to go before becoming a reliable fantasy option.

Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Trevor Stephan came in to secure his third save of the season on Thursday in the 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. He didn't allow a hit or a run in his one-inning of work in the ninth frame, walking three and striking out two. It wasn't a clean outing by any means, but the 26-year-old right-hander got the job done for his team. Stephan was asked to slam the door in this one because All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase and setup man James Karinchak had both pitched in the previous two games. Overall, Stephan has been strong in relief for the Guardians in 2022, posting a 2.74 ERA ( 2.20 FIP), a 1.20 WHIP, three saves and 81 K's in 62 1/3 innings of relief work.

Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Trevor Stephan was called upon to shut the door against the Detroit Tigers on Friday. The right-hander was impressive and worked a perfect ninth inning to protect a one-run lead. The 26-year-old holds a terrific 2.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 39/9 K/BB ratio over 35 1/3 innings. Despite that, it's unlikely he'll get a ton of save chances going forward. Fantasy managers can ignore Stephan until he gets consistent opportunities in the ninth inning.

Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Trevor Stephan was called upon to close out the team's 12-9, extra-inning victory over the Chicago White Sox on Monday. He pitched a scoreless 11th inning and earned his first save of the year. He allowed no hits or walks in the inning while striking out two. Emmanuel Clase entered the game in the 10th inning, earning the team's first save opportunity of the night, but he was unable to keep the White Sox off the board. He was charged with his second blown save of the year. Stephan has had a nice year out of the pen, pitching to a 1.35 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP over 13.1 innings. He has struck out 15 batters while walking only three. He would be one of the candidates, alongside Nick Sandlin and Bryan Shaw, to close out games if Clase were to miss time.