The Los Angeles Dodgers placed reliever Brock Stewart on the Injured List with right shoulder discomfort.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have once again lost another arm due to complications in staying healthy this season, placing right-hander Brock Stewart on the Injured List with right shoulder discomfort before Friday's series opener against the Boston Red Sox.
The move marks Stewart's third stint on the Injured List in 2026 and continues a frustrating trend of injuries that have limited his availability despite his effectiveness on the mound. Since returning to the Dodgers ahead of last season's trade deadline, shoulder issues have repeatedly disrupted his time with the club.
Stewart reported soreness after his appearance against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday, when he worked 1.1 innings out of the bullpen. The Dodgers are expected to learn more about the injury after additional testing, which will help determine how long he could be sidelined.
Productive when healthy
Although injuries have prevented Stewart from establishing consistency this season, his performance whenever healthy has been difficult to overlook.
The veteran right-hander has posted a 2.45 ERA across 14 appearances, emerging as one of Los Angeles' more dependable late-inning options. His ability to miss bats and limit hard contact has made him a valuable piece of the bullpen whenever available.
Unfortunately, staying on the field has been Stewart's biggest obstacle.
He opened the 2026 season on the Injured List while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery following a shoulder injury that prematurely ended his 2025 campaign. After returning in May, Stewart was sidelined again because of a bone spur in his left foot before making his way back to the active roster.
Now, another shoulder issue has forced him off the roster once more.
Dodgers hoping for quick return
Despite Stewart's lengthy injury history, there is optimism that this latest setback will not result in an extended absence.
The Dodgers will certainly have options with their bullpen. The return of Edwin Diaz alleviates some of the stress within the bullpen, but nonetheless, losing a quality arm in Stewart's case still makes it difficult to navigate.
With roughly two months remaining in the regular season, the Dodgers have time to allow Stewart to recover without rushing him back into game action. Given his importance to the bullpen, the organization will likely prioritize his long-term health over an immediate return.
For now, Los Angeles will have to navigate another stretch without one of its most effective relievers. While Stewart has consistently delivered quality results whenever called upon, his season has once again been defined as much by time spent on the Injured List as by his production on the mound.
