The Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen is enjoying a nice start to 2026 and has largely shown improvement the team was hoping for entering this season.
The group suffered its first in-season injury with Ben Casparius being placed on the 15-day injured list because of inflammation in his right shoulder, but the team has a capable replacement in Kyle Hurt.
Further help could be on the way relatively soon, with Brock Stewart beginning his rehab assignment with the Single-A Ontario Tower Buzzers on Tuesday.
Stewart struck out the side and needed just 15 pitches to do so.
Manager Dave Roberts estimated Stewart to be ready in around three weeks, comparing the timeline to a typical Spring Training buildup.
“Yeah, I think once he starts, he’s got, what, [30] days? You’re looking at sort of a Spring Training and how many outings that a reliever takes,” Roberts said. “So, I think that the three weeks is probably what it’s going to take.”
This timeline lines up for a return in early May.
The Dodgers hope Stewart is the first of a handful of relievers who will come off the injured list this year, including Brusdar Graterol and Evan Phillips.
There last update on Graterol’s situation was positive, but it’s clear he is not close to where Stewart is at in his recovery.
There have been no recent updates on Phillips’ progress since he began throwing bullpens in mid-March.
Elsewhere in L.A.’s bullpen, there were multiple days of uncertainty regarding the health of Edwin Díaz. He has made some progress of late but still needed to clear another hurdle of throwing a bullpen session on Tuesday before possibly getting into a game.
Brock Stewart’s recovery creates bullpen competition
The Dodgers have previously expressed their desire to have Stewart be a part of their bullpen plans for this season, which leaves the question of which relief pitcher will be optioned to the Minors as the corresponding move.
Stewart’s impending arrival creates an opportunity for fringe players to either solidify their spots or lose them over the next three weeks.
“When it gets closer, that’ll certainly be a conversation I hope we have,” Roberts said. “That means that everyone’s healthy, and hopefully it’s a tough conversation. But yeah, we expect him back and expect him to be good.
“With him being out, with other guys being out, it’s a good opportunity to see some guys. I’m happy Kyle Hurt’s here, and obviously get a longer look at Edgardo (Henriquez) and guys like that.”
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