Abstract: A rocker arm, for operating a valve in a machine such as an internal combustion engine, has a stamped body with a push rod socket at a first end, a valve pallet at a second end, and two lateral walls extending between the first and second ends, each of the lateral walls having a bearing support aligned on a common axis. A stiffener strap extends from one bearing support over the lateral walls to the other bearing support, the stiffener strap having a bearing housing at each end for engagement with the bearing supports of the stamped body. The stiffener strap may also include stabilizer features for clamping the lateral walls of the stamped body to resist inward buckling in service.