REPORTS: Guardians’ Trevor Stephan To Be Shut Down For Three Weeks

According to multiple reports, including from The Athletic’s Zack Meisel, the Cleveland reliever will be shut down due to a deep bone bruise in his pitching elbow.

Through their first four spring training games, the Cleveland Guardians hold a 2-2 record in the 2024 Cactus League.

However, another member of their 40-man roster has suffered an injury, and will remain out for an extended period.

According to multiple reports, including from The Athletic’s Zack Meisel, Guardians relief pitcher Trevor Stephan will be shut down for three weeks due to a deep bone bruise in his pitching elbow.

The Guardians are shutting down reliever Trevor Stephan for three weeks because of a deep bone bruise in his elbow. Manager Stephen Vogt said Stephan’s elbow is fine structurally, no ligament issues.

— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) February 28, 2024

Per Meisel, Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said that the reliever’s elbow does not have any ligament issues, and that it is structurally fine.

According to The Associated Press’ Tom Withers, the Guardians said that Stephan had soreness in his elbow during a recent training session, after which an MRI revealed bony edema (bruising). He has not yet made a relief appearance this spring.

Jun 7, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Trevor Stephan (37) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Progressive Field / © Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

This is the first major setback the right-hander has dealt with since being claimed off waivers by Cleveland after the 2020 season. The 28-year-old has not been placed on the injured list at any point during his tenure with the Guardians.

For the past two years, he has been a linchpin of Cleveland’s bullpen. Stephan’s 137 appearances over the past two seasons rank tied for eighth in MLB, with fellow Guardians bullpen teammate Emmanuel Clase leading the way with 152.

In the past two years, Stephan is 13-12 with a 3.40 ERA, 157 strikeouts, and 1.24 WHIP, while converting five of his 15 save opportunities. Additionally, his 47 holds in this span rank fourth in MLB, and his 132.1 innings pitched rank tied for 15th among relief pitchers.

Per Withers, Stephan will be re-examined after not throwing during his three-week shutdown period.