Dodgers Not Ruling Out Kyle Hurt As Potential Bullpen Option

Kyle Hurt began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday as he works toward returning from having Tommy John surgery in late July 2024.

The right-hander allowed one run, one hit and one walk in one inning of work against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Houston Astros’ affiliate).

Hurt began the season on the 15-day injured list and was transferred to the 60-day IL in early April. He has been facing batters since the middle of July, which has included pitching in Minor League games in Arizona.

“Well, I mean, if he continues to trend, you never know how things are going to play out,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts answered when asked if Hurt could rejoin the team by the end of the regular season.

“But to keep that option open and alive is certainly the plan, yes.”

Roberts is excited to see the progress Hurt has made after being sidelined for the last 13 months.

“It’s great,” Roberts began. “You know, obviously with Emmett (Sheehan), we’ve seen that this year, and Evan Phillips is going through it, and guys going through it.

“To kind of be isolated or kind of on an island, and then to get back in the mix, it’s good for them.”

Kyle Hurt’s Dodgers career

Now 27 years old, Hurt made his MLB debut during the 2023 season. Hurt was included on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster for the Seoul Series last year.

Over parts of the last two seasons, he’s gone a combined 0-1 with a 1.04 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in four games (one start).

The Dodgers drafted Hurt out of the University of Southern California as a starting pitcher, but he might figure to continue making an impact for the team out of the bullpen.

Hurt recently expressed a willingness to pitch in any role for the Dodgers and said he doesn’t anticipate stretching beyond two innings this year.