The fifth spot in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ rotation may as well be a revolving door this season. It was initially occupied by Ross Stripling, and has since been filled by Mike Bolsinger, Nick Tepesch and most recently, Brock Stewart.
Of the quartet, two — Stewart and Stripling — made their respective Major League debuts, while Tepesch’s outing was his first time pitching in the Majors since Sept. 26, 2014. He was designated for assignment one day after starting against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics on Monday.
Stripling went 1-3 with a 4.85 ERA in eight starts with the Dodgers. He was pressed into emergency relief duty during the 17-inning marathon against the San Diego Padres, which left him unable to make his turn two days later, and thus he was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on May 23.
It was just as well, as the Dodgers are intent on limiting his workload this season. Bolsinger went 1-4 over his time in the rotation, while Tepesch suffered the loss in his lone start.
Although Stewart endured a rough second inning, allowing five runs, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he’s likely to remain in the rotation, according to Alanna Rizzo of Time Warner Cable SportsNet LA:
"High possibility" Stewart gets another start.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) June 30, 2016
The Brewers damage came courtesy of a bleeder for an infield single that beat the Dodgers’ shift and a blooper to right field that led to an opposite-field Kirk Nieuwenhuis homer. After getting the second out, a pair of singles and walk led to facing Ryan Braun with the bases loaded.
Braun doubled in two runs, and the Dodgers never came close to mounting a comeback. Stewart’s rise to the Majors this season has been nothing short of unprecedented. He began the year in High-A Rancho Cucamonga, going 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA and 10 strikeouts over two starts (11 innings pitched).
After a promotion to Double-A Tulsa, Stewart went 3-3 with a 1.60 ERA in nine starts. He had 62 strikeouts to 10 walks during his time with the Drillers.
Stewart was named to the Texas League All-Star Game, though didn’t participate because he was promote to Triple-A Oklahoma City. In three starts for OKC, the 24 year old went 3-0 with a 2.89 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 27 strikeouts in 18.2 innings pitched.
Assuming Stewart does stick with the Dodgers for another start, it will come during their 10-game homestand that leads into the All-Star break.
