Dodgers Activate Stewart, Cut Hernández Loose in Shock Roster Shakeup
Dodgers Shake Up Bullpen: Brock Stewart Returns, Hernández Departs
What Happened?
The Los Angeles Dodgers made some big changes to their pitching staff on Wednesday. Here’s the simple version:
- Brock Stewart is back! The right-handed pitcher came off the injured list just in time for the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
- Elieser Hernández is out. The Dodgers "designated him for assignment" (DFA) — which is baseball talk for "we’re removing him from the 40-man roster and giving ourselves time to trade him, release him, or send him to the minors."
- This opens a roster spot for Tyler Glasnow, who should rejoin the starting rotation next week.
Important Point: A "40-man roster" is like a team’s official club membership. Only 40 players can be on it at once. When someone new comes in, someone else has to leave.
Who Is Brock Stewart?
Think of Stewart as a reliable relief pitcher — the guy who comes in during the middle or late innings to stop the other team from scoring.
His 2024 Stats (So Far)
- Games pitched: 14
- Innings: 14 ⅔
- ERA: 2.45 (that’s really good — lower is better!)
- xERA: 2.09 (this is "expected ERA" — a fancy stat that says he’s been even better than his results show)
- Strikeouts: 14
- Walks: 5 (few walks = good control)
- Saves: 1
ELI5 Definition: ERA (Earned Run Average) = how many runs a pitcher gives up per 9 innings. Under 3.00 is excellent. xERA uses advanced math to guess what his ERA should be based on how well he actually pitched.
How Is Stewart Different From Other Returning Pitchers?
Several other Dodgers pitchers have been hurt and are working their way back. But Stewart took a different path:
| Pitcher | Rehab Assignment? |
|---|---|
| Blake Treinen | Yes (Triple-A Oklahoma City) |
| Tyler Glasnow | Yes (Triple-A Oklahoma City) |
| Gavin Stone | Yes (Triple-A Oklahoma City) |
| Bobby Miller | Yes (Triple-A Oklahoma City) |
| Brock Stewart | No — came straight back |
Why does this matter?
Most pitchers go to the minor leagues (like Triple-A) for a few games to "shake off the rust" before returning to the majors. Stewart skipped that step — meaning the Dodgers trust he’s ready right now.
Who Left? Elieser Hernández
To make room for Stewart, the Dodgers cut ties with reliever Elieser Hernández.
His 2024 Stats
- Games pitched: 16
- Innings: 25 ⅓
- ERA: 5.68 (much higher than Stewart’s — not ideal)
- xERA: 4.33 (still high, but suggests he was a little unlucky)
- Strikeouts: 22
- Walks: 13 (almost 1 walk per inning — that’s a lot!)
Key Takeaway: Hernández struck out more batters than Stewart, but he walked way more. In baseball, walks are free tickets to first base — and they often lead to runs.
What’s Next? Tyler Glasnow Returns Soon
The Dodgers’ starting rotation gets a huge boost next week:
The Plan
- Wednesday night: Glasnow makes a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
- If all goes well: He comes off the 60-day injured list and rejoins the Dodgers’ starting rotation.
- Roster math: Hernández’s DFA opened a 40-man spot — so Glasnow has a place to land.
ELI5 Definition: The 60-day injured list is for players with serious injuries. They don’t count against the 40-man roster while on it — but when they’re healthy, the team must make room for them.
Why This Matters for the Dodgers
- Bullpen gets stronger with Stewart’s return (2.45 ERA vs. Hernández’s 5.68)
- Rotation gets stronger when Glasnow returns (he’s a frontline starter)
- Roster flexibility improves — the Dodgers can now carry the pitchers they trust most
- Playoff push: Every win counts, and better pitching = more wins
Summary
| Move | Player | Role | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activated | Brock Stewart | Relief Pitcher | Effective (2.45 ERA), ready now, no rehab needed |
| Designated for Assignment | Elieser Hernández | Relief Pitcher | Struggled (5.68 ERA, lots of walks) |
| Coming Soon | Tyler Glasnow | Starting Pitcher | Ace-level talent, rehab start Wednesday, needs 40-man spot |
The Dodgers swapped a struggling reliever for a proven one — and cleared the way for a top starter to return. That’s smart roster management.
FAQ
What does "designated for assignment" (DFA) mean?
It means the player is removed from the 40-man roster. The team has 7 days to trade them, release them, or send them to the minors (if they clear waivers). It’s not an immediate "you’re fired" — but it’s close.
Why didn’t Brock Stewart go to Triple-A for rehab?
Sometimes teams skip minor-league rehab if:
- The player has been throwing well in simulated games
- The team needs him now
- The player has enough experience to ramp up quickly
Stewart’s track record and current form likely gave the Dodgers confidence.
What is xERA and why does it matter?
xERA (Expected ERA) uses Statcast data (exit velocity, launch angle, strikeouts, walks) to estimate what a pitcher’s ERA should be. It removes luck. Stewart’s xERA (2.09) is even lower than his actual ERA (2.45) — meaning he’s pitched better than his stats show.
When will Tyler Glasnow start for the Dodgers again?
If his Wednesday rehab start goes well, expect him to rejoin the rotation early next week — likely Tuesday or Wednesday.
Does this mean the Dodgers are "all in" for the playoffs?
Yes. Making roster moves to improve both the bullpen and rotation — especially bringing back a Cy Young-caliber starter like Glasnow — signals they’re loading up for a deep October run.