Dodgers Roster Shakeup: Stewart Activated, Hernandez DFA’d
Dodgers Bullpen Shuffle: Stewart Returns, Hernández Out
What Happened Today
The Los Angeles Dodgers made a couple of important roster moves before their game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field:
- Activated Brock Stewart from the injured list (IL) — he’s now available to pitch out of the bullpen
- Designated Yohan Hernández for assignment (DFA) — this means he’s been removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Stewart
Important Point: A "designated for assignment" move gives the team 7 days to trade, release, or send the player to the minor leagues (if he clears waivers).
Who is Brock Stewart?
Think of Stewart as a relief pitcher — a guy who comes in late in the game to get key outs. Here’s what makes his return interesting:
His Unusual Path Back
Unlike teammates Blake Treinen, Tyler Glasnow, Gavin Stone, and Bobby Miller, Stewart did not go on a "rehab assignment" with the Dodgers’ Triple-A team (Oklahoma City).
- A rehab assignment is like a practice run in the minor leagues before returning to the big leagues
- Stewart’s last game with the Dodgers was July 28 against the Seattle Mariners — he just picked up where he left off
His Numbers Look Great
When he’s been healthy and active, Stewart has been very effective:
| Stat | What It Means | Stewart’s Number |
|---|---|---|
| ERA | Earned Run Average — how many runs he allows per 9 innings (lower is better) | 2.45 |
| xERA | Expected ERA — a fancy stat that estimates how well he should have pitched based on quality of contact | 2.09 |
| Games | Appearances out of the bullpen | 14 |
| Innings | Total innings pitched | 14 2/3 |
| Strikeouts | Batters he struck out | 14 |
| Walks | Batters he walked (free passes) | 5 |
| Saves | Games he finished to secure a win | 1 |
Simple Translation: In about 15 innings of work, Stewart has allowed very few runs, struck out a batter per inning, and has good control (few walks).
How Stewart Compares to Hernández
The Dodgers essentially swapped one reliever for another. Here’s how they stack up:
| Stat | Brock Stewart | Yohan Hernández |
|---|---|---|
| ERA | 2.45 | 5.68 |
| xERA | 2.09 | 4.33 |
| Games | 14 | 16 |
| Innings | 14 2/3 | 25 1/3 |
| Strikeouts | 14 | 22 |
| Walks | 5 | 13 |
What This Tells Us
- Stewart has been much better at preventing runs (2.45 vs 5.68 ERA)
- Stewart has better control (5 walks in ~15 innings vs 13 walks in ~25 innings)
- Hernández pitched more innings and struck out more batters total, but was less efficient and more wild
What This Means for the Team
1. Immediate Bullpen Help
Stewart gives manager Dave Roberts another reliable late-inning option right away.
2. Roster Flexibility for Glasnow’s Return
This move is also setting the stage for next week:
- Tyler Glasnow (a starting pitcher) has been on the 60-day injured list since earlier this season
- He’s scheduled to make a rehab start Wednesday night with Oklahoma City
- If that goes well, he’ll rejoin the starting rotation next week
- Hernández’s DFA opens a 40-man roster spot — exactly what’s needed to activate Glasnow
Key Insight: The 40-man roster is like the team’s "official roster." You can’t add a player from the 60-day IL without removing someone first. This move clears that path.
What’s Coming Next
This Week
- Stewart is available immediately for bullpen duty
- Glasnow makes his rehab start (likely 3-4 innings in Triple-A)
Next Week (If All Goes Well)
- Glasnow returns to the starting rotation
- He’ll take his turn every 5th day as a starter — a huge boost for the pitching staff
Summary
- Brock Stewart is back — effective reliever, no minor league rehab needed
- Yohan Hernández is out — struggled with runs and walks allowed
- Roster spot cleared for Tyler Glasnow’s return next week
- Dodgers continue their pattern of constantly optimizing the bullpen
The Dodgers are doing what they do best: churning the bottom of the roster to find the best combination of arms, while making space for their big-name starters to return healthy.
FAQ
1. What does "activated off the injured list" mean?
It means a player who was officially sidelined due to injury is now healthy enough to play and has been added back to the active roster (the 26 players who can play in today’s game).
2. Why didn’t Stewart go to Triple-A for rehab like the others?
Sometimes players are healthy enough to skip the minor league "tune-up" — especially relievers who only need to throw 15-20 pitches. The Dodgers likely felt he was ready based on his side sessions and bullpen work.
3. What happens to Hernández now?
He’s been "designated for assignment." The Dodgers have 7 days to:
- Trade him to another team
- Release him (he becomes a free agent)
- Send him to the minor leagues (only if no other team claims him off waivers)
4. Why is a 40-man roster spot needed for Glasnow?
Players on the 60-day IL don’t count against the 40-man roster. When they’re ready to return, they must be added back — which requires removing someone else first. Hernández’s DFA created that opening.
5. What’s the difference between ERA and xERA?
- ERA = Actual runs allowed per 9 innings
- xERA (Expected ERA) = What his ERA should be based on how hard batters hit the ball, launch angle, etc. It strips out luck. Stewart’s xERA (2.09) being even lower than his ERA (2.45) suggests he’s actually pitched better than his results show!