MINNEAPOLIS -- The Dodgers' bullpen received additional reinforcement before Monday's 2-1 win over the Twins with the activation of right-handed reliever Brock Stewart from the injured list.
After missing the start of the year recovering from right shoulder surgery, Stewart made his season debut in May, only to immediately return to the injured list with a bone spur and arthritic cartilage flare-up in his left foot. The issue stems from a 2012 Lisfranc repair surgery.
"First of all, it feels a lot better," Stewart said. "And everything around it's much stronger. ... Fortunately, really the whole time I was able to keep my arm in shape and keep throwing, whether that's like plyo throws on my knees for a couple days and then just pretty much stationary on my feet throwing. And then got out on the grass and then got on the mound."
Before the foot injury sidelined him, Stewart made just two appearances for Los Angeles, striking out three batters and walking one across two scoreless innings.
Being in Minneapolis is a homecoming of sorts for Stewart. He played for the Twins from 2023 until the Trade Deadline in 2025, when he was acquired by the Dodgers. He started his career in 2016 with the Dodgers and was traded to the Blue Jays in 2019. He missed both the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
During his recent rehab assignment split between Single-A Ontario and Triple-A Oklahoma City, Stewart proved his readiness by allowing just one run over 10 1/3 innings while striking out 18 batters and issuing three walks.
"I'm not going to sit here and say I maintain perfect mental health," Stewart said regarding his consecutive stints on the injured list. "I deal with struggles. ... It's almost embarrassing, you know, was brought over here midway last year and haven't helped out much, so that's on my mind all the time. Don't get me wrong, I work hard, and I want to help out as much as I possibly can."
Roberts stated that the training staff has checked all necessary boxes regarding Stewart's physical readiness. The Dodgers plan to use him without restrictions.