Dodger reliever Brock Stewart is headed to the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, removing the club’s most notable addition from a quiet trade deadline from the immediate playoff push. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman spoke at Angel Stadium, saying he doesn’t regret the approach at the deadline and remains confident the defending champions will figure things out in time for October.
Stewart will undergo further testing on Wednesday, and his return timeline remains unclear after a rough stint with Los Angeles since being reacquired from Minnesota. He struggled in his appearances this month after coming back to the Dodgers at the deadline.
Los Angeles also is without several other relievers who have been out of action for stretches this season, including Tanner Scott, Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, Michael Kopech and Kirby Yates. Kopech, Scott and Yates are expected to be back by the end of August, but in a year already full of pitching injuries nothing is guaranteed.
The Dodgers overcame similar injury woes last year by leaning on a deep bullpen while several starters were sidelined, a template Friedman hopes to replicate if the club qualifies for the postseason. The current rotation, by contrast, has shown more health, with stars like Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow back in the mix and Roki Sasaki on the horizon. The bullpen, however, has struggled to stay afloat, particularly with veteran shutdown reliever Blake Treinen scuffling.
In additional news, the Dodgers confirmed that former All-Star starter Tony Gonsolin underwent an internal brace procedure, a recovery typically spanning eight to ten months. Gonsolin has made only seven starts this season after returning from Tommy John surgery in 2023.
Summary: The Dodgers’ pitching staff faces a setback with Stewart’s IL stint amid a broader bullpen challenge, even as the rotation receives reinforcements. optimism remains tempered by the ongoing injuries, but Friedman voiced confidence the team can push through and contend for October with the depth already assembled.
Comments and context:
– The injuries to Stewart and the multiple relievers highlight the unpredictability of bullpen-heavy methods, but the Dodgers’ depth could be a defining factor if they can weather the storm through August and September.
– If you’re planning coverage, emphasize the contrast between a healthy rotation and a fragile bullpen, and what it could mean for bullpen management and late-inning matchups down the stretch.
– A hopeful angle: the organization’s track record of overcoming injury adversity and Friedman’s explicit belief in their pitching depth offer a reason for optimism as the season progresses.