Dodgers Suffer Bullpen Setback: Brock Stewart to Injured List
The situation in the bullpen of the Los Angeles Dodgers is complicated after the inclusion of Brock Stewart on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation, according to manager Dave Roberts. Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, is optimistic about Stewart’s quick recovery, who was the only acquisition for the bullpen before the trade deadline. Stewart is expected to undergo additional tests on Wednesday. Stewart’s absence adds to that of other key relievers such as Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, Michael Kopech, Tanner Scott, and Kirby Yates. Phillips will be out for the rest of the season due to Tommy John surgery, while the other five are expected to return in the coming weeks. Despite the situation, Friedman is confident that the team will have a talented pitching staff for October.Kopech, who has participated in a simulated game, could return before the end of the month. Scott and Yates could also be back soon, although their combined numbers in 2024 are 4.21 ERA. Graterol is progressing well in his recovery and is expected to be available for the final stretch of the season. Stewart, acquired from the Minnesota Twins on July 31, allowed nine batters to reach base in 20 plate appearances. Along with outfielder Alex Call, they were the only Major League players acquired by the Dodgers before the deadline, unlike the San Diego Padres, who made multiple moves. The Dodgers sought to reinforce the bullpen and the outfield, but failed to finalize the desired deals due to the prices requested.I think we have a very legitimate opportunity to have the most talented pitching staff we’ve had in October.
Andrew Friedman
Tony Gonsolin underwent a procedure that will keep him out for eight to ten months, ending his season after only seven starts. Despite this, the Dodgers are confident in their rotation with Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani, along with Clayton Kershaw, Emmet Sheehan, and Roki Sasaki as options. The offense, which has underperformed since July, and the bullpen, which continues to suffer setbacks, are cause for concern. Friedman maintains confidence in the pitching staff, expecting it to be a strength for the team in the future.There are agreements that we thought made sense for us and that we pursued strongly. It’s not as if we had the possibility of making a deal where we said ‘No’, and now we wish we had.
Andrew Friedman
