As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare to face the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim on Tuesday, an unexpected development has caught the attention of insiders and fans alike. Right-handed pitcher Brock Stewart was seen leaving the Dodgers clubhouse in street clothes, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. This sighting has sparked speculation about Stewart’s status amid the team’s recent roster moves.
Brock Stewart Unexpectedly Leaves Dodgers Clubhouse
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Stewart, who joined the Dodgers in a trade deadline deal that sent outfielder James Outman to the Minnesota Twins, is making his third stint with the organization. Originally drafted by Los Angeles in 2014, Stewart debuted in the majors with the Dodgers in 2016 before bouncing around other teams. Despite injury setbacks in recent seasons—including elbow complications in 2023 and shoulder tendinitis in 2024—Stewart had been a reliable bullpen arm with the Twins, posting a solid 2.38 ERA across 39 appearances prior to the trade.
Since returning to Los Angeles, Stewart’s performance has been uneven. Over 2.2 innings pitched this season, he has allowed two earned runs, one walk, and six hits, struggling to find his rhythm. The right-hander himself expressed frustration after a recent outing, noting, “The approach is just to get ahead and compete in the strike zone, and I think I got behind some guys. That’s not a very good recipe for success. Wasn’t very sharp. But that’s baseball. The stuff is good, just got to compete and throw in the strike zone and trust the good things are going to happen.”
The Dodgers acquired Stewart as part of their strategy to bolster a bullpen that has faced challenges this season. Known for his hard stuff, Stewart ranks in the 92nd percentile in MLB for hard-hit percentage and the 88th percentile for swing-and-miss rate, making him a potentially valuable late-inning reliever if he can regain form.
RHP Edgardo Henriquez Returns To Dodgers Bullpen
Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Edgardo Henriquez is back with the Dodgers in Anaheim and poised to contribute once again. Henriquez made three appearances for Los Angeles in late July, delivering 2.1 scoreless innings with one strikeout before being optioned to make room for left-hander Justin Wrobleski. After opening the season on the injured list with a foot injury, Henriquez is now expected to get a second chance at the major league level.
Whether Henriquez’s return will coincide with Stewart’s current absence from the clubhouse is unclear, but the Dodgers’ pitching staff is undergoing a notable shuffle as they push toward the final stretch of the season.
Despite the recent challenges and moments of uncertainty, Stewart remains confident in his adjustment to the Dodgers’ approach. “Everybody speaks the same language when it comes to analytics, attack certain hitters, kind of the scouting reports and stuff like that,” he said. “So not too different from what I’ve dealt with. Just not been very sharp past couple outings and just looking forward to the next one.”
As the Dodgers continue their playoff push, maintaining bullpen stability will be crucial. Stewart’s health and performance, alongside Henriquez’s readiness, could significantly influence the team’s late-season trajectory.