Remember Brock Stewart? The Minnesota Twins don’t really either, but at one time he was a reliever in their bullpen. Minnesota getting the most out of their bullpen meant Stewart would be a key contributor.
Placed on the injured list, alongside Byron Buxton on May 3, Stewart hasn’t pitched for the Twins since May 1. After citing soreness during an appearance against the Chicago White Sox on April 29, Stewart got warm and threw again on May 1. The Twins removed him from the roster two days later.
Minnesota Twins set to get Brock Stewart back… eventually?
The good news? Brock Stewart should reportedly return at some point in 2024. Ready for the bad news? The timeline is not weeks, it’s months. Darren “Doogie” Wolfson of KSTP recently shared on Mackey and Judd (SKOR North) that Stewart return isn’t expected until “August into September.”
“Brock Stewart is not out for the year. We’ve not heard much on Brock Stewart… This is not a season ending injury. The question is, when does he return to game action, and we’re looking more like August into September. Brock Stewart is expected to be back this season.”
Darren Wolfson on Brock Stewart’s return to the Minnesota Twins
Stewart is among the most exceptional relievers in Twins history, though his sample size is small. Picked up as a minor league free agent, Stewart quickly elevated himself to high-leverage work in 2023. Across 41.0 innings the past two seasons, Stewart has allowed a whopping three runs while owning a ridiculous 56/17 strikeout/walk ratio.
Counting on Stewart would be unwise for Minnesota Twins
Minnesota’s bullpen hasn’t been the strength it was expected to be. Jay Jackson was jettisoned from the roster. Jhoan Duran is bleeding velocity while putting up the least effective season of his career. A healthy Stewart would be a welcomed addition back to the group. With how this has drug even the most established timeline should be considered murky.
August into September is still months away, and the end of the regular season is not far off from that point. Stewart did miss time last year, and returned to throw a pair of innings in September before the postseason started. He was largely the same pitcher, but not expecting rust is playing with fire.
Having an opportunity to add talent at the trade deadline, a focal point for the front office should certainly be bullpen help. Finding another Brock Stewart may be tough, but so too may be thinking that the one they already employ will actually be ready to go.
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