TEMPE, Ariz. — Right-hander Robert Stephenson continues to insist he’ll be ready for Opening Day, and he took a step toward that goal Friday.
Stephenson faced hitters for the first time this spring.
“A huge step, obviously,” Stephenson said after the workout. “I don’t know how many we’re going to do, but obviously that’s another step closer to getting in games. I still feel like I’m perfectly on pace to be able to to get in enough games to be ready for Opening Day, which is the No. 1 priority.”
Stephenson has missed most of the first two seasons of his three-year deal with the Angels. He returned from Tommy John surgery in May, and then was quickly shut down again with a problem that he now describes as “thoracic outlet symptoms.”
All spring, Stephenson has been progressing steadily, with no setbacks.
His fastball reached 95 mph during Friday’s session. Afterward, he said he was pleased.
“I still feel like there’s a little polishing to do,” he said. “A couple uncompetitive pitches, but overall for the first time facing hitters, I’m pretty happy with how it went. Everything felt good physically, so that’s all I can ask for.”
OTHER INJURY UPDATES
Outfielder Josh Lowe, who has been out with left oblique tightness, took some dry swings Friday morning.
Lowe’s rehab was also interrupted by the flu, which kept him from the ballpark for a few days.
Right-hander Ben Joyce, who had shoulder surgery last year, is still throwing only fastballs and changeups in his bullpen sessions. Joyce he’d normally have gotten his fastball up to 100 mph by now, but it’s currently in the “low to mid 90s.”
“Still kind of building up volume and velo and everything,” Joyce said. “Taking it day by day.”
Although Joyce said he didn’t want to “put limits on anything,” his progress at this point suggests that he will, as expected, start the season on the injured list.
Right-hander Nick Sandlin, who is coming off arthroscopic elbow surgery, is still not scheduled to face hitters, even though he’s thrown all his pitches in bullpen sessions.
“He’s getting closer to facing hitters,” manager Kurt Suzuki said. “He’s been throwing bullpens and getting ready, working himself up. I think once he starts seeing hitters, then we can talk about what the next step is for sure.”
NOTES
The Angels will split into two squads Saturday and Sunday, with one group playing the Athletics in a pair of exhibitions in Las Vegas. The A’s, who are playing in Sacramento for two more seasons, are trying to build support in advance of their move to Las Vegas for the 2028 season. Outfielder Jo Adell, first baseman Nolan Schanuel and catcher Logan O’Hoppe are the top everyday players who will be playing in Las Vegas. Right-handers Ryan Johnson and Jack Kochanowicz will start the two games. …
The Angels sent down relief pitchers José Fermin and Javien Sandridge. Fermin (3⅔ innings) and Sandridge (2 innings) had each allowed five runs so far this spring. …
On Thursday, the Angels’ initial lineup had Mike Trout in left and Bryce Teodosio in center, but the players then swapped positions. Suzuki said Friday that he “just rethought it. … I want to get him more reps in center field just so he gets more comfortable.” Trout has said his goal is to return to center field. The Angels have been noncommittal about whether that’s what they’ll do, but they are giving Trout the opportunity to show he can do it. …
First baseman Trey Mancini was scratched from Friday’s lineup because of the flu.
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