Angels' High-Paid Injured Reliever Unsure About Opening Day Status

On Wednesday, Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson could be scheduled for another bullpen session in a few days. 

However, the 31-year-old reliever suggested he might not have enough time to be ready when Opening Day rolls around in late March, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reported:

Right-hander Robert Stephenson (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, and he’s scheduled for another in a few days. Although Stephenson had suggested that he might not have time to get in enough games to be ready by opening day, Washington pointed out that he’s started other seasons with fewer than six innings in the spring, and the Angels could still have time to get him that four or five this spring.

^{— via Jeff Flecther of the Orange County Register}

Stephenson has been working his way back from a sore pitching shoulder. The Halos open the season against the Orioles in Baltimore on March 28. 

The Halos signed Stephenson to a three-year, $33 million contract in late January. If all pans out for the right-handed reliever, he will be slated for setup duties ahead of closer Carlos Estévez. 

Given the uncertainty around his health, it makes sense for the Angels to take a cautious approach with their biggest free agent acquisition of the offseason.