The Los Angeles Dodgers’ strategy for addressing their bullpen need at the trade deadline hasn’t worked out as the regular season winds down.
Instead of trading away prospect capital, the Dodgers believed getting injured relievers back would be a sufficient substitute for making a significant deal at the deadline.
Brock Stewart was the Dodgers’ biggest bullpen addition, but he remains on the 15-day injured list as he continues to deal with right shoulder trouble. Stewart did not make his expected return to the bullpen for the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, which raises questions about his availability for the remainder of the 2025 season.
On Tuesday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Stewart is day-to-day. Roberts’ comments came shortly after the right-hander played catch in the outfield at Chase Field with Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes and a trainer watching.
The 33-year-old completed another throwing session in front of trainers and Gomes on Wednesday, this time a bullpen session.
“He was good. Still some residual soreness, he’s pitchable,” Roberts said. “I think [Thursday] will be a light catch day.
“He wants to be a part of things and he’s doing everything he can. We’ve just got to be mindful of the health, the performance part of it. So it’s day-to-day.”
The Dodgers saw enough in Stewart’s bullpen session to believe it’s possible for him to pitch in a game before the season ends. He traveled with the team to Seattle and Roberts reiterated Stewart remains day-to-day.
Stewart has been on the injured list since the middle of August due to right shoulder inflammation. Treatment included multiple rounds of cortisone injections before he began to feel any relief.
Roki Sasaki possibly filling in for Brock Stewart
Sasaki returned from the 60-day injured list on Wednesday and will occupy a new role out of the bullpen. The rookie missed more than four months because of a right shoulder impingement.
In that time, the Dodgers’ rotation began to take shape and left Sasaki on the outside looking in. No longer having a spot as a starter, he has willingly embraced this new role to help the Dodgers pursue a second consecutive World Series title.
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