ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Sixteen months after signing a $33 million, three-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels, reliever Robert Stephenson has finally thrown a pitch for his new team.
Stephenson missed last season after undergoing elbow surgery in May 2024 that included an ulnar collateral ligament repair with an internal brace. He was activated off the injured list for Wednesday night’s series finale against the New York Yankees and struck out his first two batters in a perfect sixth inning.
The Angels also selected the contract of utilityman Scott Kingery from Triple-A Salt Lake. Veteran infielder Tim Anderson, a two-time All-Star who batted .205 in 31 games for the Angels, was designated for assignment, and reliever Jake Eder was optioned to Salt Lake.
“Honestly, to me, this is up there with making my (big league) debut, you know?” Stephenson said before the game. “I feel like it’s going to be pretty special for me. … It felt different walking into the clubhouse. Like, I can actually contribute something.”
The 33-year-old right-hander went 3-1 with a 2.35 ERA in 42 games for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023, striking out 60 batters and walking eight in 38 1/3 innings.
He should bolster an Angels bullpen that entered Wednesday with a major league-worst 6.31 ERA and lost hard-throwing setup man Ben Joyce to season-ending shoulder surgery in late April.
Stephenson had a 3.60 ERA over five innings in five minor league rehabilitation appearances. He mixes a 97 mph fastball with a sharp 85 mph slider and an 89 mph splitter.
Los Angeles manager Ron Washington said he hopes to ease Stephenson back into a high-leverage role, but he wouldn’t rule out the possibility of immediately using Stephenson to hold an eighth-inning lead for closer Kenley Jansen.
“I want to give him a chance to get settled in,” Washington said, “but if the opportunity presents itself (in a high-leverage spot) and he’s the best we have at the time, it will happen.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Los Angeles Angels' Tim Anderson (77) swings during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Johnson had 18 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in his seventh triple-double of the season, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 111-99 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 23 points and Onyeka Okongwu had 22 for the Hawks, while both Zaccharie Risacher and Luke Kennard scored 12.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 24 points. OG Anunoby had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Mikal Bridges added 18 points.
Ariel Hukporti, who replaced Karl-Anthony Towns (illness) in the starting lineup, grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds for New York.
The Knicks got off to a quick start, taking an 11-2 lead. Trailing 30-29, the Hawks scored the final four points of the first quarter and never trailed again.
Atlanta extended its lead to 60-45 on Okongwu’s short jumper with 1:16 remaining in the second quarter before Brunson’s runner cut the Knicks’ deficit to 60-47 at halftime.
Alexander-Walker’s driving layup with 1:14 left in the third quarter gave the Hawks their biggest lead of the game at 94-68 and they were ahead 94-70 at the end of the quarter.
The Knicks scored the first 11 points of the fourth quarter and pulled within 94-81 before Kennard connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to end the streak.
New York mounted a final rally following consecutive 3-pointers by Bridges to edge within 108-99, but never got any closer.
The Hawks, who have won two in a row following a season-high, seven-game losing streak, became the first team to hold the Knicks to fewer than 100 points this season.
Atlanta's Trae Young (bruised right quadriceps) and Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (left ankle injury management) each missed their third straight games.
Hawks: Visit Toronto on Saturday.
Knicks: Host Philadelphia on Saturday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu reacts after scoring a 3-point basket during first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) passes the ball around New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti (55) during second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, bottom, and Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) battle for the ball during second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, right, is defended by New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby during second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
