The Los Angeles Dodgers placed key right-handed reliever Brock Stewart on the injured list Friday with a right shoulder issue, but the team’s approach to the bullpen market ahead of Monday’s trade deadline is not expected to change.
Manager Dave Roberts downplayed the severity of Stewart’s injury, which is pending an MRI and is considered short-term. Roberts stated that the move was largely a formality, allowing the club to call up triple-A starter Cole Irvin for a planned bullpen game. A source with knowledge of the team's plans confirmed that the development is not anticipated to increase the front office's urgency to acquire additional relief pitchers before the deadline.
The Dodgers have been evaluating the relief market, having recently added right-hander Seth Halvorsen from the Rockies and reportedly showing interest in Clay Holmes of the Mets. They have also been linked to Kyle Finnegan, a veteran righty with the Tigers.
Despite the recent bullpen struggles, which have seen the unit post a 4.90 ERA since May, the Dodgers express internal confidence in their current relief corps. Closer Edwin Díaz has shown improvement in his outings since returning from his own injury, and Evan Phillips has also seen his stuff play up. Edgardo Henriquez has been steady as an opener, and while Will Klein has faced a slump, Blake Treinen and Ben Casparius are making progress toward returning from the injured list.
Looking ahead to the playoffs, the Dodgers may also shift resources from their starting rotation. Players like Justin Wrobleski, Emmet Sheehan, and Roki Sasaki have transitioned to relief roles in previous postseasons, and Sasaki has indicated openness to such a move again this year.
The health of the starting rotation remains a factor. Shohei Ohtani is currently not pitching, and Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell are on the injured list. However, the team is optimistic about their recoveries. Snell is slated to make one more minor-league rehab start next week before activation, reporting his arm feels better than it has in years. Glasnow is nearing the commencement of his own rehab assignment after facing hitters in live batting practice. Ohtani, whose pitching timeline is less clear, returned to the lineup as designated hitter Friday after missing a game due to knee soreness.
The Dodgers also remain engaged in discussions for pitcher Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers. However, for the trade deadline, the bullpen market remains the primary focus, and Stewart's injury is not expected to significantly alter those plans.