Trevor Stephan’s Road Back: Can the Guardians’ Former Setup Star Reclaim His Role in 2026?
Rewind to the start of the 2023 MLB season, and Trevor Stephan looked like a long-term bullpen staple in Cleveland. The Guardians had just doubled down on their belief in the right-hander, locking him into a four-year, $10 million extension - a rare early commitment from one of baseball’s more conservative front offices when it comes to spending on relievers.
But baseball doesn’t always follow the script.
Stephan’s 2023 season didn’t go as planned. He posted a 4.06 ERA across 68 2/3 innings - not disastrous, but far from the dominant form he showed in 2022.
Then came the setback that changed everything: Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him for all of 2024 and most of 2025. By the time he returned to the mound in the minors last summer, the Guardians had moved on - at least on paper - outrighting him off the 40-man roster once his rehab window closed.
Now, heading into 2026, Stephan finds himself in a bit of a limbo. He’s no longer on the 40-man roster, yet he’s still firmly in the organization’s plans - at least financially.
Thanks to that guaranteed contract, he’s set to make $3.5 million next season, making him one of the highest-paid players in Cleveland’s system. Whether he earns a spot back on the big league roster will depend entirely on how he looks this spring.
The Velocity Dip: A Red Flag That Predates Surgery
The biggest concern surrounding Stephan isn’t just the surgery - it’s what was happening before the injury. His fastball, once a weapon that averaged 96.5 mph in 2022, had already dipped to 94.9 mph in 2023.
Post-surgery, that number dropped even further. In his return to minor league action in 2025, Stephan’s fastball was topping out at 92 mph - a significant drop for a pitcher who relies heavily on velocity and late movement to miss bats.
The results reflected that decline. Across 23 2/3 minor league innings, Stephan posted a 9.51 ERA, including an 11.65 mark in 17 innings at Triple-A. It’s clear he wasn’t close to his pre-injury form, and the radar gun told the same story.
Still, there were glimmers of hope. In late July, pitching for Double-A Akron, Stephan tossed a scoreless inning and struck out a batter, touching 92 mph. Not headline-grabbing stuff, but a step in the right direction for a pitcher still finding his footing after major surgery.
Remembering What He Was
It’s easy to forget just how good Stephan was at his peak. After the Guardians plucked him from the Yankees in the 2020 Rule 5 Draft, he grew into a key piece of their bullpen by 2022. That year, he posted a 2.69 ERA across 63 2/3 innings, serving as a high-leverage setup man in front of All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase.
He was more than just a bridge to the ninth - he was a weapon. His fastball-slider combo played beautifully in late-inning situations, and he handled pressure with the poise of a veteran. That version of Stephan helped Cleveland contend and was a big reason the front office felt comfortable investing in him long-term.
Now, he’s chasing that version of himself again.
A Crowded Bullpen, But Room for a Comeback?
Cleveland hasn’t stood still while Stephan’s been recovering. The bullpen has evolved, with arms like Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis stepping up, and the team recently added Connor Brogdon, Colin Holderman, and Peyton Pallette to the mix. The 40-man roster is full, and the competition is stiff.
But the truth is, if Stephan shows signs of life - particularly if his velocity ticks back up - there’s a path back to the majors. The Guardians have always valued depth in the bullpen, and they’ve seen firsthand what a healthy Stephan can offer. None of the recent additions are guaranteed to block him if he’s throwing like the guy from 2022.
And with his salary already locked in, there’s no financial hurdle to keeping him in the system. He’ll have every opportunity this spring to prove he belongs back in Cleveland’s bullpen.
The Final Chapter?
It’s fair to say Stephan’s extension hasn’t played out the way the Guardians envisioned. Injuries have derailed what looked like a rising career, and his future remains uncertain. But the story isn’t over yet.
If he can regain even a portion of his former velocity and command, there’s still a chance for a meaningful comeback. Bullpens are volatile, injuries happen, and roles shift quickly over the course of a 162-game season. Stephan doesn’t need to be the 2022 version of himself overnight - he just needs to show signs he can get back there.
For now, he’s a long shot to break camp with the big league club. But with a full offseason to build strength and another spring training ahead, Trevor Stephan still has a shot to write a new chapter in Cleveland - and maybe even reclaim a role in one of baseball’s more quietly effective bullpens.