While some Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers are behind schedule in their throwing programs, news of Brock Stewart’s recovery is a breath of fresh air for the pitching staff.
The Dodgers will be without at least three pitchers to start the season, as Brusdar Graterol, Blake Snell and Evan Phillips do not have the green light for Opening Day. Graterol is “in a holding pattern” due to a lack of progress, Snell is limited to flat grounds at the moment, and Phillips is recovering from Tommy John.
The Dodgers entered the season planning for Stewart to be a part of their bullpen, but anticipated that his return would be a little delayed.
However, his rehab process is progressing better than the Dodgers anticipated, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Meanwhile, right-hander Brock Stewart is progressing better than expected from his shoulder surgery last September. Stewart threw his second bullpen session on Wednesday.
“Brock Stewart I saw the other day in a ’pen, and it was really good,” Roberts said. “Just fastballs only. I think his next ’pen, he’s going to introduce some breaking balls, but it was really good. Arm speed, hand speed was really good, better than I thought. Came in the following day, which was yesterday, and felt good.”
The Dodgers will still be cautious with Stewart, and his status for Opening Day is in question, but it’s a positive development, nonetheless.
Stewart was acquired from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline this year to help address the absence of relievers like Graterol and Evan Phillips, but he too suffered an injury and missed the end of the 2025 season.
The trade deadline acquisition appeared in four games for the Dodgers before landing on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation.
The Dodgers decided to shut down Stewart and have him undergo right shoulder surgery last season to prioritize his long-term health, and that decision now seems to be paying dividends.
Dodgers explain Brusdar Graterol’s current status
Graterol hasn’t been making any progress toward ramping up his throwing program, which has caused the team to take a wait-and-see stance.
The Dodgers are taking the necessary precautions because of Graterol’s injury history over the past two seasons, but also because of how impactful of an arm he can be when on the mound.
Graterol owns a 10-8 record with a 2.69 ERA, 3.19 FIP and 1.03 WHIP over parts of five seasons in L.A.
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