Dodgers Optimistic Despite Brock Stewart’s Right Shoulder Injury

Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen absorbed yet another loss as Brock Stewart was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to right shoulder inflammation.

Stewart joined the Dodgers at the trade deadline in a deal that sent James Outman to the Minnesota Twins. He represented the Dodgers’ biggest addition at the trade deadline this year.

Stewart hasn’t made the greatest first impression in this third stint with the Dodgers, allowing two earned runs in 3.2 innings of work through four appearances. Stewart admitted he hasn’t been sharp during the current stretch and was looking forward to shaking it off.

His last appearance before going on the IL was Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Stewart showed some improvement in a low leverage situation, working a relatively clean inning in relief of Dodgers’ starter Blake Snell.

It was following this outing that Stewart began to feel soreness in his throwing shoulder. The Dodgers are taking solace in the fact that they caught it early.

“Brock has a little bit of shoulder inflammation. We feel good that we got it early,” manager Dave Roberts said.

“He just started feeling a little bit of soreness about four days ago. We got ahead of it, so put him on the IL to make sure we can put it to bed so he’ll be back and help us.”

Edgardo Henriquez was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take Stewart’s place in the bullpen while he is on the mend.

In the meantime, Stewart is headed back to Los Angeles for further testing on Wednesday.

What Brock Stewart’s injury means for Dodgers’ bullpen

Roberts admitted that Stewart’s injury is a sizable blow for team, but is looking forward to seeing how Henriquez fares with an extended look.

The young right-hander has struggled in the Minors this season, but has put forth some quality performances with the Dodgers, albeit an extremely small sample size.

“Right now it’s a big blow. Obviously he’s a big part of what we’re trying to do, so to not have him available, hurts,” Roberts said.

“But I’m happy to get Edgardo back here and essentially put him in a leverage position as far as dominating right-handed hitters and see if he can continue to do what he’s done for us while he’s been up.”