Dodgers’ Brock Stewart to IL with Shoulder Inflammation; Friedman Confident

The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing another setback in a rocky second half, as reliever Brock Stewart heads to the injured list with shoulder inflammation. The team says the injury is minor and that they caught it early, but it just adds to a growing relief pitching mess that’s haunted them since July.

Now, with six high-leverage relievers out and the offense sputtering, the Dodgers are at a crossroads. They’re trying to claw back their division lead and set themselves up for a deep playoff run, but things feel precarious.

Brock Stewart’s Setback Adds to Bullpen Woes

Manager Dave Roberts called Stewart’s issue precautionary. Team president Andrew Friedman echoed that, saying the medical staff thinks they spotted the problem before it worsened.

Stewart, who came over from the Minnesota Twins at the deadline, will get more tests. Still, he’s now the sixth key reliever to hit the injured list.

Reliever Injuries Have Piled Up

The Dodgers’ bullpen depth is basically maxed out. Besides Stewart, these impact relievers are also out:

• Evan Phillips – done for the season after Tommy John surgery
• Brusdar Graterol – rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery
• Michael Kopech – on the mend from a recent injury
• Tanner Scott – could return in the coming weeks
• Kirby Yates – getting close to a comeback

Kopech, Scott, and Yates are working their way back, but Roberts doesn’t have many reliable late-inning arms right now.

Second-Half Struggles on the Mound and at the Plate

Since July 1, the Dodgers have stumbled to a 15-20 record, dropping out of first place in the NL West. The bullpen’s struggles are a big reason, but the offense isn’t helping either.

Right now, the bats sit in the league’s bottom five for runs per game since July started. That’s just piling more pressure on a tired pitching staff.

Trade Deadline Decisions Under the Microscope

At the deadline, Los Angeles grabbed Stewart and outfielder Alex Call to shore up depth. They stopped short of swinging any blockbuster moves, though.

Big names like Griffin Jax and Steven Kwan came up in talks but the price was too steep. The Dodgers usually play it safe at the deadline and lean on their player development, but with all these injuries, you have to wonder if they should’ve gambled a bit more.

Postseason Rotation Could Be Elite

Friedman still believes the Dodgers might roll out their most talented pitching staff ever in October. The potential playoff rotation?

• Blake Snell – reigning NL Cy Young winner
• Yoshinobu Yamamoto – much-hyped Japanese star
• Tyler Glasnow – power arm with serious strikeout stuff
• Shohei Ohtani – two-way phenomenon, expected to pitch

They could get extra help from Clayton Kershaw, Emmet Sheehan, and recovering phenom Roki Sasaki. On paper, that’s a group that could wreck opponents—assuming the bullpen doesn’t fall apart.

Balancing Health and Urgency

The Dodgers have to find a way to get relievers healthy and keep starters fresh for October. The organization tends to be patient with injuries, but every loss in the standings makes things more urgent.

Stewart might only miss a short stint, but his injury is another reminder of how thin the margins are right now.

Final Thoughts

The Los Angeles Dodgers know adversity. This current mix of bullpen issues and a cold offense feels pretty unique though.

Fans expect a World Series run, so the pressure’s on. Can they get healthy in time? That’s the question.

October potential still feels high. But honestly, the road ahead looks a bit rougher than anyone hoped.

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