Stewart (shoulder) hits IL; surgery ends Gonsolin's season

ANAHEIM -- President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman believes that the Dodgers have the potential to field "the most talented pitching staff we've ever had" this postseason.

But with seven weeks remaining in the regular season, it remains to be seen which of the team's currently injured arms will be available when the calendar flips to October -- and what the Dodgers can realistically expect out of that group.

Ahead of Tuesday night's 7-6 loss in 10 innings at Angel Stadium, the Dodgers lost another reliever to the injured list, right-hander Brock Stewart, due to shoulder inflammation. Stewart had been feeling the injury for about four days, and the Dodgers are hopeful that they caught it early enough that it will not be too serious. But they will have a better idea of Stewart's chances of returning this season after he undergoes testing in L.A.

Righty reliever Edgardo Henriquez, the Dodgers' No. 17 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was recalled as the corresponding move and pitched an efficient 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

"Right now, it’s a big loss," manager Dave Roberts said of Stewart. "Obviously, he's a big part of what we’re trying to do, so to not have him available hurts. But I’m happy to get Edgardo back here and essentially put him in a leverage position as far as dominating right-hand hitters and see if he could continue to do what he’s done."

Friedman also confirmed that righty starter Tony Gonsolin's season is over, not just because he was running out of time to ramp up, but because he had another elbow surgery. After missing the entire 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and making just seven starts this year before landing back on the IL with right elbow discomfort, Gonsolin had an internal brace procedure with flexor cleanup. There is an 8-10 month timetable for his return.

Even after these latest blows to the pitching staff, Friedman reiterated his confidence in the roster at this point in time, and in the roster that the team expects to have in the postseason.

"First we have to qualify for October," Friedman said. "If we're fortunate enough to do that, I think we will have arguably our most talented pitching staff that we've ever had with some really good pitchers left off. It's what I'm anticipating.

"I think a lot of this is, these guys should come back with plenty of time to get outings in in September to help us win games in September and to get their legs under them from there. So as we're sitting here today and the updates and where they're at, we feel really good about it."

The Dodgers are expecting to get leverage arms Kirby Yates, Tanner Scott and Michael Kopech back by the end of the month, in roughly that order. Roki Sasaki is about to begin a rehab assignment and could be an option for the rotation in late August or early September. Brusdar Graterol, who has been rehabbing from right shoulder labrum surgery all season, is getting close to facing hitters and could return at some point in September.

Because they have so many talented arms returning, the Dodgers didn't swing big to improve their bullpen ahead of the July 31 Trade Deadline. Their priority was to get a shutdown right-hander, and trading for Stewart from the Twins was their means to that end. But Stewart made only four appearances before going on the IL, and he has a lengthy injury history, having dealt with arm injuries in each of the past two seasons.

The Dodgers are banking on playing their best baseball, with their most complete roster, during the postseason. They need to get there first, and the division race has gotten uncomfortably tight.

After holding a season-high nine-game lead in the NL West on July 3, the Dodgers now share first place with the Padres. While L.A.'s starting pitching has gotten healthier in that time frame, the offense has intermittently slumped, and the bullpen has been both injured and inconsistent.

Given all that, Friedman maintains that he would not have done anything differently at the Deadline.

"Taking a snapshot on Aug. 12 is one thing," Friedman said. "Hopefully, if we make it into October, seeing the roster that we submit, we feel that it’s going to be a very, very strong roster. That’s our bet and that’s what we’re going with."