Brock Stewart is nearing the end of his rehab assignment and could rejoin the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen in the coming days.
The right-hander has made eight appearances between Single-A Ontario and Triple-A Oklahoma City thus far, recording 13 strikeouts in 6.1 scoreless innings.
Stewart checked off an important box last week when he pitched on back-to-back days for the first time in his recovery from last year’s right shoulder surgery. The 34-year-old then made what could be a final rehab appearance on Sunday, though it did not entail a final test of sorts.
“I think the only box, if we had to kind of find, is the up-down,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Stewart’s progress on SportsNet LA.
“So outside of that, he’s done everything. He’s performed, he’s checked all those boxes. I think there might be where he does an up-down, and then that will be the last box.”
An up-down is when a pitcher finishes an inning and then returns to the mound for the start of the next frame. Should Stewart clear this final hurdle on Sunday, he would seemingly be on track to return when the Dodgers begin their homestand later this week.
Prior to Roberts’ latest comments, indications had been the final step for the 34-year-old was to pitch on back-to-back days. Stewart wound up retiring just one of three batters faced on Sunday.
Brock Stewart’s role with Dodgers
Stewart is looking to contribute out of the Dodgers bullpen after making just four appearances upon being acquired from the Minnesota Twins at the 2025 trade deadline. He allowed two runs on six hits and collected three strikeouts against two walks in 3.2 innings pitched.
Stewart figures to be trusted in high-leverage situations, which could entail getting occasional save opportunities. That is especially important with Edwin Díaz recovering right elbow surgery and Brusdar Graterol’s long road to a return remaining somewhat stagnant.
Díaz is not expected to return until some point in the second half of the season, and there isn’t much clarity at this time for Graterol.
Though, Graterol did begin a rehab assignment with the Comets on Saturday night and retired the side in order in the fourth inning on just eight pitches.
Even if Stewart isn’t utilized in save situations, his return would nevertheless allow for more flexibility in the bullpen and another option in the event Blake Treinen continues to struggle.
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