The Los Angeles Dodgers were evaluating Brock Stewart’s availability ahead of the Wild Card Series as he continued to recover from right shoulder inflammation.
The team was hopeful Stewart would be able to return for the playoffs, but that came to an end on Friday with the announcement that their trade-deadline acquisition would be undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.
The Dodgers’ evaluation of Stewart included playing catch on Tuesday and completing a bullpen session the following day at Chase Field, with Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes and a trainer watching both days.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Tuesday that Stewart was day-to-day and that designation didn’t change the next afternoon. However, Roberts did add on Wednesday that he believed it was possible for Stewart to pitch again in 2025.
Ultimately, Gomes explained a decision was made to prioritize Stewart’s long-term health, via SportsNet LA:
“We had a lot of conversations with Brock, and he was like, ‘I want to help this team in any way possible.’ But watching him throw and having conversations with him, there was still something that was bothering him that as much as we would love to have him right now, we don’t want to put his long-term health at risk. So kind of going back and seeing Dr. ElAttrache, felt like this was the best course of action. Our expectation is he pitches the majority of next year.”
Gomes added the specific procedure Stewart will be undergoing is a shoulder debridement.
The right-hander finished 2025 allowing two earned runs in 3.2 innings with the Dodgers. He has two arbitrations years left on his contract before becoming eligible for free agency.
Brock Stewart could be key for Dodgers in 2026
Looking ahead to free agency, Kirby Yates and Michael Kopech are the only two pieces with expiring contracts. Alex Vesia can also become a free agent, but the Dodgers have a $3.6 million team option that they are likely to exercise.
Stewart will be a part of the Dodgers’ plans next season as soon as he is healthy, with Gomes projecting that he will be available for a majority of 2026.
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