LOS ANGELES -- Brock Stewart has been among the Dodgers' more effective relievers when healthy, but injuries have limited the right-hander during his time in L.A. Stewart landed on the injured list for the third time this season ahead of Friday's series opener against the Red Sox, this time with right shoulder discomfort.
Veteran left-hander Cole Irvin, who led qualified Pacific Coast League pitchers in ERA (3.58) and wins (nine), had his contract selected from Triple-A Oklahoma City to cover bulk innings in Friday's bullpen game. To open a 40-man roster spot for Irvin, right-hander Chayce McDermott was designated for assignment.
Stewart returned to the Dodgers, with whom he made his big league debut 10 years ago, after being traded from the Twins ahead of last year's Trade Deadline. Since then, he has had four stints on the IL, three of which were related to his shoulder.
"He's done a great job, when he's been active, on really pitching well," manager Dave Roberts said. "So we’ve got to make sure, with the calendar on our side, we've got to protect him and take a couple weeks and then get him back."
In 2025, Stewart made four appearances with the Dodgers before going down with inflammation in his right shoulder, which ended his season. He had surgery in the offseason, which led to him beginning 2026 on the IL. Stewart returned to action in May, only to be sidelined again by a bone spur in his left foot.
The Dodgers are hopeful that this latest IL stint will be minimal. Stewart reported soreness in his shoulder after his most recent outing on Tuesday, when he pitched 1 1/3 innings against the Mariners. He will undergo an MRI on Saturday.
Stewart has recorded a 2.45 ERA in 14 appearances with the Dodgers this season.