The Guardians outrighted Stephan on Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephan has been playing for Triple-A Columbus since being activated off the 60-day injured list July 30, and he'll remain at Columbus or elect free agency after being outrighted. The 29-year-old has allowed 11 runs and three homers in seven innings with Columbus in 2025.

The Guardians activated Stephan (elbow) from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Stephan was one of the Guardians' most-trusted relievers in 2022 and 2023, but he's struggled during his rehab assignment while coming back from his March 2024 UCL surgery, posting an 11.81 ERA over 10.2 innings across stops with three affiliates. He can still make an impact with the big club later this season, but the Guardians will need Stephan to hone his command at Triple-A before giving him another look in the majors.

Stephan (elbow) resumed his rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus over the weekend, issuing one walk in a scoreless inning Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Stephan is in the midst of his second rehab assignment after the Guardians opted to extend his stay in the minors when his initial 30-day window expired shortly before the All-Star break. During the initial assignment, Stephan made eight appearances across stops with three affiliates and logged a 5.40 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 8.1 innings. Stephan has made two appearances for Columbus during his second assignment, with Friday's outing marking his first since the All-Star break. The right-hander will likely need to sharpen his command and pitch on consecutive days at Triple-A before the Guardians bring him back from the 60-day injured list.

Stephan (elbow) had his rehab assignment moved to Double-A Akron, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephan made two appearances in the Arizona Complex League and two for Triple-A Columbus, before the organization shifted him to Akron. He threw two scoreless innings for the RubberDucks on Tuesday, allowing one hit while striking out two. In total, the right-hander has a 6.35 ERA with eight strikeouts and three walks over 5.2 rehab innings.

Stephan (elbow) allowed one run on one hit and two walks over two-thirds of an inning for Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Stephan's rehab moved from the rookie-level Arizona Complex League to the highest level of the minors. The right-hander racked up the strikeouts -- five of them in two innings -- while in the ACL. He's moved up several levels and is on the cusp of returning to the majors.

Stephan (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Guardians on Tuesday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephan missed the entirety of last season following a UCL reconstruction, but he's finally been cleared for game action following a long rehab process. His rehab assignment will be a lengthy one given how much time Stephan has missed, but he should be ready to rejoin the Guardians' bullpen before the All-Star break.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Sunday that Stephan (elbow) is "progressing well" and is expected to return to game activity at the organization's spring training complex in Arizona at some point in May, Michael Beaven of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephan missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from UCL reconstruction surgery, which he underwent last March. Now more than a year removed from the procedure, Stephan has reached the point in his recovery program that he's facing hitters, and he'll likely soon test himself in a simulated-game setting in Arizona before reporting to an affiliate for a rehab assignment. The right-hander was a key piece of the Cleveland bullpen in his last healthy season in 2023, turning in a 4.06 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 75:26 K:BB while collecting seven wins, 30 holds and two saves over 71 appearances.

The Guardians transferred Stephan (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The move frees a spot on the 40-man roster for Will Wilson, who was called up Tuesday. Stephan is still working his way back from UCL reconstruction surgery and the shift to the 60-day IL doesn't alter his timetable.

The Guardians placed Stephan (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Stephan has been throwing off a mound since the beginning of March, though he still has a long way to go in his rehab from UCL reconstruction surgery. Assuming the rest of his ramp-up process goes smoothly, he should return to Cleveland's bullpen within a few months.

Stephan (elbow) threw a bullpen session Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Saturday marks the first time Stephan has thrown off a mound this spring while he works his way back from UCL reconstruction surgery. He seems to be trending in the right direction but still has several boxes to check before being cleared for game action, which isn't likely to happen for another couple of months.