Stephen’s Surgery Halts Rise | MLB News

Guardians’ top pitching prospect Khal Stephen faces a major setback as he prepares for elbow surgery—details of the procedure remain unknown until the operation begins. Once seen as a cornerstone of Cleveland’s rebuild after their blockbuster trade for Shane Bieber, Stephen’s injury now casts doubt on his 2024 debut, likely pushing it to 2025. The trade, which gave Toronto a proven ace in Bieber, was a bold move to win now, while Cleveland gambles on Stephen’s long-term upside. With playoff hopes fading and bullpen woes mounting, the Guardians may be pivoting toward a rebuild—selling high on Bieber’s return while banking on Stephen’s future. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/76d1cafff2ef82aa