Long-forgotten Guardians reliever could work his way into 2026 bullpen picture

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Trevor Stephan pitch in a big league game for the Guardians. Eight hundred seventy-nine days to be exact. 

And while Stephan’s appearance against the Rangers later today won’t count as a big league appearance since it’s coming in spring training, it could end up being the first step in his journey back toward being a big league option for the Guardians.

In the time since Stephan last took a mound for the Guardians on Oct. 1, 2023, Stephan’s underwent and rehabbed from Tommy John surgery, returned to the minor leagues and was outrighted off the Guardians’ roster after an unimpressive showing in the minors. 

But Stephan’s still in camp with the Guardians by virtue of the fact that he’s guaranteed $3.5 million in 2026, so both parties have an interest in getting him back to a point where he can become a piece of Cleveland’s big league bullpen. 

Could Trevor Stephan end up helping the Guardians’ bullpen in 2026? 

Stephan’s schedule to make his spring debut today against the Rangers, and, according to what he said to Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes, he feels healthier compared to how he felt last season. 

Last year Stephan appeared in 25 games in the minors for the Guardians and posted a 9.51 ERA in 23 2/3 innings. 

Stephen underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2024 and made his return to the mound in the middle of last summer via a rehab assignment in the minors. The Guardians eventually assigned him to Triple-A after that assignment ended before outrighting him off their 40-man roster midway through August. 

His fastball only sat around 93 miles per hour last season after it had averaged 96.5 miles per hour at his peak in 2022. 

That 2022 season was the stuff of legend for Stephan, who the Guardians plucked from the Yankees in the 2020 Rule 5 Draft. 

After having an okay 4.61 ERA in 63 1/3 innings in 2021, Stephan had a 2.69 ERA in 63 2/3 innings in 2022 that led to him and the Guardians agreeing to a four-year, $10 million extension ahead of the 2023 season. 

He threw 68 2/3 innings in 2023 despite his elbow barking at him, and he eventually went under the knife the next spring. 

But even if Stephan is able to get his velocity and stuff back to where it was pre-injury, he’s still going to have an uphill battle to earn a roster spot after the Guardians spent the offseason adding arms to their bullpen. 

Along with having incumbents like Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis and others in the fold, new additions Connor Brogdon, Shawn Armstrong, Colin Holderman and Peyton Pallette are all occupying spots on the 40 and 26-man roster. 

Two years ago, Cleveland’s front office used spring training to help knock out an extension that made Stephan a part of the Guardians' future. Now he’s hoping to use this spring to work his way back into that picture.