The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Brock Stewart off the 15-day injured list and designated Jonathan Hernández for assignment prior to Wednesday’s game against the Colorado Rockies.
It marks a third time this season Hernández has been DFA’d by the Dodgers. The first instance came at the end of June and it occurred again Aug. 10 when the Dodgers recalled Seth Halvorsen from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Hernández has pitched to a 5.68 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 16 appearances with the Dodgers. He last appeared in a game in the series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers, throwing three scoreless innings to help save an overworked bullpen.
Brock Stewart optimistic
Stewart is back with the Dodgers after missing nearly three weeks because of right shoulder soreness. That came on the heels of Stewart spending just over one month on the injured list due to a bone spur in his left foot.
The 34-year-old has been limited to just 14.2 innings this year, but was working in a high-leverage role. Stewart has posted a 2.45 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 25.5% strikeout rate while walking 9.1%.
“He’s done a great job when he’s been active and really pitching well,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said while Stewart was recovering from shoulder soreness. “So we have to make sure that with the calendar on our side, we’ve got to protect him and take the couple of weeks, and then get him back soon.”
Although the 34-year-old had right shoulder surgery last year that caused him to start the season late, the Dodgers did not believe the latest trouble was connected to that.
Stewart faced batters at Dodger Stadium last week and was encouraged by his overall health after taking a deliberate approach to get his shoulder healthy.
“We gave it, like, three days of no-throw and really hammered away at the tissue work,” he said. “Basically, everything around my shoulder, making sure there’s no knots, no rocks in my shoulder anywhere. Just making sure the tissue is laying down correctly and activating correctly.
“I think that’s what led to the tendinitis that I had. Things were just really bound up. So to kind of let things calm down and get the trainers’ hands on me was huge.
“After a couple days of no-throw, and five or six days of a throwing progression before my first bullpen. Throwing feels good. I’m happy with how it feels now. Like I said, one day at a time. Just continuing to work. Whether I’m activated in a few days or a few weeks, it’s not going to change how I approach each day.”
Stewart’s return comes at somewhat of a time of need for the Dodgers bullpen. Edwin Díaz struggled after coming back from right elbow surgery and ended back on the injured list due to neck inflammation. That’s elevated Tanner Scott into the closer role and created more of need for trusted high-leverage relievers.
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