Los Angeles Dodgers Pull a Familiar Play with Brock Stewart
For Los Angeles Dodgers fans who thought their bullpen concerns might stretch into October, the team just added a layer of comfort to those late-inning blues. Los Angeles recently struck a deal with the Minnesota Twins to bring Brock Stewart back into the fold. Yes, that Brock Stewart. The pitcher who once wore Dodger Blue is set for a Hollywood encore, and this is not just a throwback sentimental moment.
Why the Move Makes Sense For The Dodgers?
The Los Angeles Dodgers are no strangers to positioning themselves as postseason favorites. But with their bullpen being the most overworked group in the league this season, the front office went digging for solutions. Stewart, who already knows the ins and outs of Chavez Ravine, fits the bill perfectly. Crafted by Dodgers development back in 2014 as a sixth-round pick, Stewart’s career has been anything but linear. His initial tenure with L.A. was not anything groundbreaking, sporting a 5.46 ERA in his first go-around. Ouch, right?
Dodger fans may have felt like they were biting into an overhyped, stale Dodger Dog back then. But patience, along with a stint out of Los Angeles and Tommy John surgery, has done wonders for Stewart. The Twins saw his potential, and in 2023, he delivered with an impressive 2.38 ERA, 41 strikeouts, and a bag of nasty sliders across 34 innings.
The Bigger Picture for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Bullpen
For a team leading the league in bullpen innings pitched, Stewart promises not just relief but also stability. Sure, the Los Angeles Dodgers were supposedly making big plays for some high-profile, back-end guys on the trade market, but grabbing Stewart might be the underrated steal of the season. Given that other key relievers are riding injury waves, the timing could not be better.
Some might shrug off the deal as “just depth,” but anyone who is witnessed the nervous sweat beads forming on fans’ faces during late playoff innings knows better. Stewart’s ability to slot into multiple roles due to his starter-turned-reliever resume gives manager Dave Roberts some much-needed flexibility. And let us face it, no Los Angeles Dodgers fan wants to see October games riding on a bullpen that was second-guessed all summer long.
A Familiar Face, A New Hope
Unlike some returning alumni who fizzle out, Stewart’s game looks sharper this time around. His time in Minnesota gave him the edge, and now he is primed for postseason moments in Dodger Blue. For Los Angeles Dodgers fans, this move combines a bit of nostalgia with a healthy dose of practicality. Whether Stewart’s role is eating innings late in games or working the middle frames to bridge to the team’s high-leverage relievers, he represents a solid insurance policy.
No flashy bells and whistles, maybe—but the kind of dependable, grind-it-out player L.A. needs to cross the finish line. Right now, Stewart feels like that underrated player card in MLB The Show that you did not think would do much for your squad—but suddenly becomes clutch against the A.I. pitching.
What is Next for Dodger Domination?
Of course, the Los Angeles Dodgers likely are not done wheeling and dealing before the trade deadline. With playoff competition looming from rival beasts like the Braves in the NL, they will probably look to make another splash to shore up the bullpen or elsewhere. But for now, Stewart is a sneaky-good win. When November hits and Dodger Stadium turns into, once again, the epicenter of championship hopes, moves like this will matter. Because if there is anything the Dodgers do well, it is this–taking risks on players they believe can thrive when the spotlight’s brightest.
