The 34-year-old all-rounder joined Otago for its twenty/20 campaign this season and extended his stay when he was included in the 30-strong initial England World Cup squad.
The experienced right-hander is not expected to make the final cut of 15 but will be available for the remainder of the domestic one-day tournament.
He has been included in the 13-strong Otago squad for its game against Northern Districts in Invercargill today.
The Kent professional has a decent first-class record and was expected to do well during the twenty/20 tournament.
But in seven matches he scored 102 runs at an average of 17 and took three wickets at 53.33.
The medium pacer was expensive, conceding an average of 9.41 runs an over and, despite a couple of cameos, was unable to make a significant contribution with the bat.
With Stevens coming back into the mix, competition for spots in the starting XI will be intense.
Darren Broom played a crucial role with the bat against Central Districts, and Craig Smith has bowled well enough to warrant another opportunity.
Normally, that pair might be expected to miss out on the playing XI, especially with experienced bowlers James McMillan and Warren McSkimming returning to duty.
But all-rounder Ian Butler may also be feeling the pressure.
While he has made some telling contributions with the bat, he has not had the best time at the bowling crease.
He was punished during the twenty/20 tournament and has carried that form into the one-day competition.
Northern Districts has had three close matches, beating Auckland by two runs and Central Districts by one wicket before losing to Wellington by just six runs in Whangarei on Sunday.
Otago opened its campaign with a four-wicket win over Wellington before coming unstuck against Canterbury in Christchurch.
The Volts bounced back to beat Central Districts by 43 runs in Palmerston North on Sunday.
Northern Districts' ranks have been depleted with Brent Arnel, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson and Daniel Vettori all on national duty.
But former Black Cap Daniel Flynn has been in good touch with the bat and experienced seamer Graeme Aldridge will spearhead a useful attack, which includes former Otago left-armer Bradley Scott and fellow lefty Trent Boult.
For Otago, captain Craig Cumming has had a lean summer by his standards but struck an impressive undefeated 94 to help his side dispatch Wellington.
And spinners Nathan McCullum and Nick Beard have proved difficult to get away.
McCullum snapped up his first one-day five-wicket haul in the win against Central Districts and is a key weapon for Otago during the middle overs.
After three rounds, Auckland, Northern Districts and Otago are all tied on eight points with Wellington (5), Canterbury (4) and Central Districts (4) trailing.
If Otago wins today, it will probably only need to win one of its remaining four games to reach the play-offs.
Stevens could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Otago v ND
Invercargill, today
Otago: Aaron Redmond, Michael Bracewell, Neil Broom, Craig Cumming (captain), Darren Stevens, Darren Broom, Nathan McCullum, Derek de Booder, Warren McSkimming, Nick Beard, Craig Smith, Ian Butler, James McMillan.
Northern Districts: Anton Devcich, Daniel Flynn, Michael Parlane, Scott Styris, Brad Wilson, James Marshall (captain), Peter McGlashan, Graeme Aldridge, Bradley Scott, Trent Boult, Jason Donnelly, Joseph Yovich.
