On Monday afternoon, Brock Stewart sat quietly by an almost empty locker in the clubhouse, feeling downcast. Just a week earlier, he was pitching for the Minnesota Twins, but after being traded to the , he had to adjust not only to a new team but also to a new environment.
Stewart joked about bringing his blue gloves to match the , but the challenge goes beyond attire. Having a home and family in Minnesota, he had to quickly pack and relocate after the trade was announced last Thursday, just after his second consecutive World Series title with a struggling team.
Despite being in the thick of a pennant race, Stewart’s return to the mound on Monday night did not go as planned. He pitched only two outs while allowing three hits in a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. His outing was a tough homecoming; originally drafted by the in 2014, Stewart was let go after sporadic appearances over four seasons. After rebuilding his career in independent leagues, he returned to Los Angeles to strengthen a bullpen with injury concerns.
In his first Stadium appearance in a home uniform since 2019, Stewart faced difficulties early, giving up hits to the first two batters. manager Dave Roberts emphasized that one poor game doesn’t determine Stewart’s role, calling him a key part of the bullpen that he plans to rely on moving forward.
Stewart was not alone in struggling; both bullpens allowed starters Tyler Glasnow and Sonny Gray’s strong performances to go unrewarded. Glasnow pitched seven solid innings, while Gray also impressively covered seven innings, despite some setbacks including home runs and walks.
After Stewart’s tough outing, Roberts reflected on Stewart’s whirlwind week—moving from Minnesota to Cleveland, then Tampa, and finally Los Angeles. Stewart’s wife and young children had to quickly adapt to the move, highlighting the personal challenges behind the scenes. Roberts noted that Stewart’s familiarity with the organization helps ease the transition.
Stewart was the ‘ most significant trade deadline addition and arrived at the stadium quickly. While he acknowledged needing time to adjust to the revamped $100 million clubhouse, he praised executives for allowing him to play his game without pressure to change.
Although Monday’s performance was not ideal, Roberts remains optimistic about Stewart’s contributions over the remainder of the season, assuring fans of plenty more opportunities to see him on the field.
Additional team updates include right-hander Roki Sasaki preparing for a three-inning rehab pitch this Friday after a shoulder injury, and utilityman Hyeseong Kim recovering from shoulder issues with a hopeful quick return. Meanwhile, Tommy Edman has been placed on the injured list with an ankle injury, limiting the ‘ usual lineup flexibility.
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Fan Take: This trade and Stewart’s story highlight the human side of baseball, reminding fans that player moves affect lives beyond the field. Stewart’s ability to rebound and contribute to a high-profile team like the could significantly impact bullpen dynamics and the team’s playoff chances, making this an essential development to watch this season.
