Last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers bolstered their bullpen by trading for right-handed reliever Brock Stewart from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline. Stewart was performing well with the Twins, and the Dodgers hoped their former draft pick could provide stability to a struggling relief corps. Although injury prevented Stewart from fully contributing, he quickly caught the attention of Shohei Ohtani with his performance and character.
Stewart recently spoke about Ohtani during an appearance on Foul Territory, describing the two-way star as a genuinely good person and recounting Ohtani’s encouraging words after Stewart’s first outing with the Dodgers.
“I haven’t spent as much time as I want to around him, and I’m looking forward to this spring and this season. So I don’t have any crazy stories. I just know he’s a super good dude.”When I came off the mound after my first outing with the team, he just looked at me and goes, ‘Ooh, nasty.’ I said, ‘Yeah. Let’s go, man!’ It’s just cool to see he’s a great person.”
The game Stewart mentioned took place last August during a matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. This venue served as the Dodgers’ temporary home for the 2025 season after Tropicana Field was damaged by Hurricane Milton. In that appearance, Stewart helped maintain a 2-0 lead by retiring the side in order in the seventh inning.
Impact of Injury and Outlook for Stewart’s Return
After his strong performance in August, Stewart only made three more appearances before an injury sidelined him. He eventually required right shoulder surgery, which has delayed his return. The Dodgers plan for Stewart to start the 2026 season on the injured list, but general manager Brandon Gomes has expressed confidence that Stewart will be ready in time to contribute through much of the year.
Stewart’s Experience Following the Dodgers’ World Series Run
Although Stewart was not on the active roster during the Dodgers’ recent World Series championship, he stayed connected and followed the team remotely. He shared a personal moment of vulnerability when describing how he fell asleep during the marathon Game 3 showdown between the Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. Stewart awoke just in time to hear the celebration following Freddie Freeman’s walk-off home run.
For the decisive Game 7, Stewart found himself tracking the game through MLB’s Gameday app, as he realized the play-by-play updates were ahead of the television broadcast. He admitted he was not proud of seeking spoilers but explained it helped him manage his anxiety while watching the tense final moments unfold.
Brock Stewart’s praise of Shohei Ohtani highlights not only Ohtani’s exceptional talent but also the respect he commands in the clubhouse. Despite setbacks from injury, Stewart’s anticipated return in 2026 offers hope for the Dodgers’ bullpen depth as they build on their recent success. His candid reflections from the World Series also illustrate the emotional rollercoaster faced by players on the fringes of championship runs, underscoring the pressures accompanying professional baseball at the highest level.
