Stephenson, 30, reached the majors as a 23-year-old starter with the Cincinnati Reds in 2016, but has been relieving full-time since 2019. The Reds traded him to the Colorado Rockies in Nov. 2020, and he has played for three teams in three seasons since.
In 18 appearances with the Pirates last year before the trade, Stephenson had a 1.429 WHIP and 5.14 ERA, with 17 strikeouts in 14 innings. In 42 appearances after the trade, Stephenson's ERA fell to 2.35, his WHIP plummeted to 0.678, and his strikeout rate shot up. Sixty of the 140 batters Stephenson faced with Tampa Bay struck out.
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