Dodger's relief pitcher, Brock Stewart, is taken out of action due to injury and placed on the Injured List.
Dodgers Face Challenges as Stewart and Gonsolin Head to Injured List
The Los Angeles Dodgers are bracing for a potential double blow as two of their key players, Brock Stewart and Tony Gonsolin, have been placed on the injured list.
Brock Stewart, who was recently acquired to bolster the struggling relief corps, was sidelined due to shoulder inflammation. The injury, detected early after four appearances with the Dodgers, has left the team's reeling bullpen in a bind. Manager Dave Roberts described Stewart's injury as a "big blow" to the team.
Stewart's injury history, which includes prior arm problems, adds a layer of uncertainty to his recovery. He has undergone significant shoulder surgery in the past and has had ongoing elbow issues. Despite these challenges, the Dodgers remain hopeful that Stewart will return for the stretch run of the season.
The Dodgers' starting pitcher, Tony Gonsolin, also faces a long road to recovery. Gonsolin underwent season-ending elbow surgery, marking the second time in three years that he has been sidelined by an arm injury. Gonsolin missed the end of 2023 and all of last season with a Tommy John surgery. As a result, he was already a long shot to return this season and was unlikely to factor heavily into their postseason plans.
The Dodgers currently rank 21st in the majors in reliever ERA this season (4.23), and with Stewart and Gonsolin out, the team will need to rely on other players to step up and fill the void.
One such player is Edgardo Henriquez, who was called up in Stewart's place. Henriquez, a hard-throwing right-hander, will look to provide the stability and consistency that the Dodgers' bullpen has been lacking.
Stewart began his career as a starting pitcher with the Dodgers from 2016-2019 before reinventing himself as a hard-throwing reliever with the Minnesota Twins. The Dodgers hoped they'd found a right-handed replacement for Evan Phillips with Stewart, but his injury has put a damper on those hopes.
The Dodgers acquired Stewart less than two weeks ago to bolster a struggling relief corps. The team had high hopes for Stewart, who represented their only bullpen upgrade at the trade deadline. However, with Stewart's injury and Gonsolin's surgery, the Dodgers will need to regroup and find ways to overcome these setbacks.
The Dodgers' hopes for a late-season return for Stewart are cautiously optimistic, pending the outcome of medical evaluations. The team is optimistic that Stewart will recover in time for the stretch run of the season, but no firm date has been set.
Despite these challenges, the Dodgers remain focused on their goal of winning the World Series. The team has a deep roster and a wealth of talent, and they will look to lean on their strengths to overcome these injuries and continue their pursuit of a championship.
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