The Dodgers introduced that beginning pitcher Tony Gonsolin underwent season-ending elbow surgical procedure on Tuesday — and that wasn’t even probably the most troubling damage replace of the day.
As a substitute, in what supervisor Dave Roberts described as the most recent “big blow” to the membership’s reeling bullpen, right-hander Brock Stewart was positioned on the injured checklist with what Roberts mentioned was shoulder irritation.
The Dodgers are hopeful that they caught Stewart’s damage early. Each Roberts and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman expressed confidence he could be again for the stretch run of the season.
Nonetheless, Stewart was acquired on the commerce deadline lower than two weeks in the past as a way to bolster a struggling reduction corps already lacking Michael Kopech, Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates and Brusdar Graterol. Now, simply 4 outings into his return to the group, Stewart represents one more query mark for a staff that has been brief on solutions amid a current 12-19 skid.
“Obviously, he’s a big part of what we’re trying to do,” Roberts mentioned. “So to not have him available hurts.”
In response to Roberts, Stewart had been coping with shoulder soreness over the past 4 days, coinciding along with his most up-to-date outing final Saturday towards the Toronto Blue Jays.
Stewart is scheduled to be extra completely examined Wednesday, however Friedman famous that preliminary guide testing on his shoulder was encouraging.
“Sounds like we caught it at the very front end,” Friedman mentioned. “So from our standpoint, we felt like, let’s be smart here, take him off line. We’re optimistic that he’ll be back.”
Onerous-throwing right-hander Edgardo Henriquez was referred to as up in Stewart’s place.
Stewart, who started his profession as a beginning pitcher with the Dodgers from 2016-2019 earlier than reinventing himself as a hard-throwing reliever with the Minnesota Twins over the past three years, represented the Dodgers’ solely bullpen improve on the deadline.
On the time, the shortage of additional motion felt like a threat for a membership that ranks twenty first within the majors in reliever ERA this season (4.23).
However in Stewart, who was acquired at a comparatively low value, with solely outfielder James Outman going again to Minnesota in return, the Dodgers’ hoped they’d not solely discovered a right-handed substitute for Evan Phillips, who’s out for the season due to a Tommy John surgical procedure, however somebody able to shoring up one of many greatest weak spots on the roster.
“I think so much of this is about knowing the person you’re acquiring,” Friedman mentioned. “And the history we had with Brock, obviously, was really helpful with that.”
Nevertheless, Stewart took a loss in his second sport with the staff, giving up a tie-breaking run within the ninth towards the St. Louis Cardinals final week. He was tagged for one more run his subsequent outing. And although he bounced again with a scoreless inning towards the Blue Jays over the weekend, his shoulder flared up, marking the third time because the begin of final yr that shoulder troubles have compelled him onto the injured checklist (he twice went on the 60-day IL final yr due to shoulder accidents).
“From our standpoint, we felt like the upside, and hopefully we still have the chance to realize that, far outweighed the risk,” Friedman mentioned when requested how a lot concern the staff had over Stewart’s damage historical past earlier than buying him. “But yeah, definitely came with some risk. That’s where betting on the person helps. It doesn’t guarantee an outcome, but it at least increases your chances. We’re optimistic we’ll still get there.”
Certainly, the Dodgers predict Stewart, Kopech (who’s eligible to return from the 60-day IL in about two weeks), Yates (who will throw a reside batting apply Wednesday), Scott (who will throw a reside BP on Thursday) and Graterol (who remains to be anticipated again from offseason shoulder surgical procedure in September) will all be again earlier than the tip of the season.
However having so many guys battling accidents, Roberts conceded, is “an added layer of uncertainty.”
Stewart’s arrival was supposed to assist quell considerations. Now, his damage has solely added to their troubles.
Gonsolin out for yr
Out since early June due to elbow discomfort, Gonsolin was already an extended shot to return this season. And given the relative well being of the present rotation (in addition to Roki Sasaki’s impending return from a shoulder damage), he was unlikely to issue closely into their postseason plans.
Nonetheless, it represents one more setback for the previous All-Star right-hander, who missed the tip of 2023 and all of final season with a Tommy John surgical procedure.
