Brock Stewart Begins Rehab Assignment After Lengthy IL Stint

Aug 4, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brock Stewart (41) delivers a pitch in the top of the ninth inning during an MLB game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Brock Stewart is taking a step towards returning from the IL, as he will begin his rehab assignment Tuesday.

The Dodgers’ new Single-A affiliate, the Ontario Tower Buzzers, made an announcement Tuesday afternoon revealing Stewart would begin his rehabilitation with the team.

“The Los Angeles Dodgers will have MLB RHP Brock Stewart on a rehabilitation assignment with the Ontario Tower Buzzers on Tuesday, April 14, 2026,” their statement read.

The Tower Buzzers begin a six-game home series against the Fresno Grizzlies on Tuesday, where Stewart will get an opportunity to show how well he’s recovered from his injury.

Aug 4, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brock Stewart (41) delivers a pitch in the top of the ninth inning during an MLB game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

When Did Brock Stewart Get Injured?

Stewart came to the Dodgers from the Minnesota Twins at last season’s trade deadline in exchange for James Outman, but only pitched four games for LA before landing on the injured list Aug. 12, 2025 with a shoulder injury. He underwent surgery on his shoulder in Sept. 2025, but the team has always expected an early 2026 return for the veteran right-hander.

Through Stewart’s four games with the Dodgers, he posted a 4.91 ERA through 3.2 innings pitched. He struck out three batters during that time, but struggled to keep runners off the base paths—allowing six hits and issuing two free passes with LA.

Prior to his arrival in LA, though, Stewart was lights out with the Twins in 2025. He had a 2.38 ERA through 39 appearances, and had struck out 41 batters in 34 innings pitched.

Was the Trade Worth it for the Dodgers?

While it’s still a little early to name a definitive winner in the Dodgers and Twins’ trade, the Dodgers didn’t exactly give up much to land a high-upside reliever.

Outman was firmly in the Dodgers’ rearview mirror at the time of the trade, having posted poor numbers in both 2024 and 2025, and hasn’t picked it up much since.

The outfielder has played in 14 games for the Twins in 2026, and is yet to record a hit through 18 at-bats. He’s drawn just one walk, giving him a .053 OPS on the year.

Stewart will have to hold up his end to prove the Dodgers made a good trade though, and will look to improve upon the four disappointing games he played with the Dodgers in 2025.

The Dodgers’ bullpen has been good enough this season already, and adding a seasoned pitcher like Stewart into the mix would certainly help more than hurt.

How do you think Brock Stewart will contribute to the Dodgers when he comes back?