Stephan (elbow) is expected to begin throwing off a mound in late February.

EDGE Analysis

Stephan had right UCL reconstruction surgery last March and has progressed to throwing five days per week from 120 feet. There's no projected timetable yet for the reliever's return, but he seems likely to miss at least the first couple months of the season.

Stephan underwent surgery to repair his UCL on Wednesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was known that Stephan would require surgery, though the exact nature of the procedure was unclear. The team still didn't announce details, though he'll miss the entire 2024 campaign and could also miss a significant portion of 2025 as well.

Stephan will undergo surgery on his right elbow in the next week or two, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The specific procedure and a timetable aren't yet known, but Bell relays that Stephan's UCL was "not providing adequate stability," necessitating the need for the operation. More information on a recovery timeline for Stephan should be known once he goes under the knife, but unless he gets an arthroscopic procedure, the veteran reliever could miss the entire 2024 season. He had been slated to serve in a setup role ahead of closer Emmanuel Clase but should now be considered out indefinitely.

Stephan will be shut down for three weeks with a deep bone bruise in his right elbow, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stephan's elbow is structurally sound, but the Guardians will shelve the reliever for a while to let him recover from the bone bruise. Considering that Opening Day is just over four weeks away, Stephan undoubtedly will require a stay on the injured list. The 28-year-old has been a key setup man for Cleveland, posting a 3.73 ERA and 27.5 percent strikeout rate over the last three seasons.

Stephan (7-7) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out one over one inning to earn the win despite taking a blown save Thursday versus the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Stephan allowed the Orioles to pull even in the top of the eighth inning, but the Guardians retook the lead a half-inning later. It's been a rough September for the setup man -- he's allowed 12 runs (11 earned) over 7.1 innings across eight appearances. He's now at a 3.97 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 71:25 K:BB with two saves, 29 holds and eight blown saves through 65.2 innings overall.

Stephan (6-7) allowed four runs (three earned) on three walks and a hit-by-pitch over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Monday versus the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Stephan couldn't find the strike zone, with just 12 of his 31 pitches landing for strikes in the wild outing. His poor showing allowed the Royals to rally in the eighth inning, though Enyel De Los Santos was tagged with the blown save after being unable to get the situation under control. Stephan has taken three losses while adding four holds over seven appearances in September, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) over 6.1 innings. He's at a 3.76 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 70:25 K:BB through 64.2 innings with two saves and 28 holds overall.

Stephan (6-6) allowed five runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Tuesday versus the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Stephan allowed the Twins to assemble a rally in the eighth inning after he was initially brought in to keep things tied at 3-3. The right-hander has taken losses in back-to-back appearances, though Tuesday's disaster outing was the first time he'd given up multiple runs since July 16. It inflated his ERA to 3.54 with a 1.28 WHIP and 68:22 K:BB through 61 innings this season. He's picked up 25 holds and two saves, but Stephan's shakiness early in September could see him bumped aside in favor of Reynaldo Lopez, Matt Moore or Enyel De Los Santos for primary setup duties.

Stephan (6-5) took the loss Sunday versus the Rays. He allowed a run on a hit and a walk while striking out two over one inning.

EDGE Analysis

Stephan allowed a go-ahead RBI single to Taylor Walls in the eighth inning. It was just the third run he's allowed over 15 innings since the start of August. The right-hander is now at a 2.83 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 67:20 K:BB through 60.1 innings while adding two saves and 25 holds. While he'll still likely see plenty of setup work, the waiver additions of Matt Moore and Reynaldo Lopez could impact Stephan's usage over the last month of the season.

Stephan (6-4) struck out the side in a perfect inning to earn the extra-inning win over the Twins on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Stephan had a fairly stable performance through August, allowing just two runs while posting a 17:2 K:BB over 13 innings. He collected eight holds and one blown save during the month. The setup man has a 2.78 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 63:18 K:BB, two saves and 24 holds over 58.1 innings this year. He continues to frequently fill the eighth-inning role ahead of closer Emmanuel Clase.

Stephan (5-4) struck out two over 1.2 perfect innings to earn the win Friday versus the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

With starter Gavin Williams going just four innings, the official scorer had the discretion to award Stephan the win for his work in the seventh and eighth frames. Stephan has pitched to a shaky 6.43 ERA in July, but he's at a solid 3.21 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 44:15 K:BB while adding two saves and 15 holds through 42 innings this season in a setup role.