Thanks to the luxury of great depth in the organization, Spring Training set the stage for many competitions in relation to the Opening Day roster for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Injuries often tend to play a role in that, and such is the case for right-hander Brock Stewart.
He entered camp among the pitchers competing to round out the Dodgers rotation. Even with that, Stewart was a long shot to beat out the likes of Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy and Julio Urias, among others.
Stewart was officially eliminated from the competition two weeks ago when the Dodgers shut him down due to right-shoulder tendinitis. He was projected to miss one week, focusing on strength exercises during that time.
Stewart has yet to resume throwing and recently received a cortisone shot, which is further delaying his return, per Bill Plunkett of the O.C. Register:
#Dodgers RHP Brock Stewart received cortisone shot in addition to shoulder strengthening program. Looks like his season won't start til May
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 25, 2017
Stewart threw a combined 3.1 innings in two Cactus League relief appearances, and allowed seven runs on five hits, including one home run. He hit two batters, struck out one and walked one.
With or without the injury, the 25-year-old was expected to begin the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He joined the affiliate last year after stops with High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Tulsa. Stewart went a combined 9-4 with a 1.79 ERA in 21 Minor League starts.
He was 2-2 with a 5.79 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in seven games (five starts) with the Dodgers last season. Stewart was the recipient of the 2016 MiLBY award, as the top starting pitcher in the Minors.
