Modest activity from the Los Angeles Dodgers trade deadline saw them address their need for a right-handed relief pitcher by acquiring Brock Stewart in a deal that sent James Outman to the Minnesota Twins.
The Dodgers also traded for Alex Call before the 3 p.m. PT deadline arrived on July 31, as he became the team’s new fourth outfielder on the roster. The Dodgers additionally traded Hunter Feduccia in a three-team deal with the Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds, but received two prospects and Paul Gervase, who appears to have an outside chance on impacting the 2025 team.
Meanwhile, Stewart appeared in just four games for the Dodgers before going on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation.
It was a disappointing turn of events for Stewart, who has faced injury concerns through his career, and for the Dodgers as they remain without other key relief pitchers as well.
“Right now it’s a big blow. Obviously he’s a big part of what we’re trying to do, so to not have him available, hurts,” manager Dave Roberts said this week.
Stewart allowed two runs in just 3.2 innings pitched across four appearances for L.A. before landing on the injured list.
When will Brock Stewart return?
Although the Dodgers are facing a stretch of being without another right-handed option for leverage situations, there is optimism with Stewart’s injury. That sentiment was further confirmed after he underwent an MRI.
“I didn’t expect any structural damage, to be honest. I’ve had this kind of tendinitis-y feeling before, so I kind of expected to just hear back that it’s inflammation,” Stewart said.
“And that’s what it was, but it’s always a relief to know structural things are sound. Just showed a little inflammation, so hopefully calm it down and pick it back up.”
Stewart received a cortisone shot and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in his shoulder, both of which quickly started to take effect.
“I’ve had these shots in the past, and normally they’ve made me very tender. But I was maybe tender for 12 hours or so, and already it’s calmed down and the motion is good,” he said. “So yeah, I’m optimistic. Like I said, just one day at a time.”
Stewart is currently shut down from throwing and projects to be back in the Dodgers’ bullpen around the end of August or early September.
That is roughly the same time the Dodgers could be seeing the returns of Michael Kopech, Kirby Yates and Tanner Scott as well, which would theoretically be beneficial for a bullpen that’s struggled of late.
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