The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Brock Stewart from the injured list on August 23, 2026, and designated right-handed reliever Jonathan Hernández for assignment. The move came mid-series against the Colorado Rockies. Hernández, a six-year MLB veteran, was cut without a corresponding trade.
Stewart returns after a stint on the IL. His recovery timeline has not been disclosed in full, but the club activated him without a rehab assignment. That signals confidence in his readiness. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Stewart will be deployed in high-leverage situations immediately.
Hernández’s numbers did not justify the roster spot. In 2026, he posted a 4.91 ERA across 36.2 innings with a 1.39 WHIP. His strikeout rate dropped to 8.1 per nine, down from 10.4 in 2025. Advanced metrics were worse. His expected ERA sat at 5.24, and his barrel rate allowed jumped to 11.2 percent.
Stewart’s pre-injury form was markedly better. Before landing on the IL, he threw 24.1 innings with a 2.22 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 12.9 strikeouts per nine. The contrast is stark. The Dodgers swapped a struggling veteran for a proven high-leverage arm. That was the calculation.
The timing is unusual. Mid-series roster moves are rare. Teams typically wait for the next homestand or off-day. The Dodgers did not wait. The bullpen’s recent failures forced the issue.
In the 12 games before the move, Dodgers relievers blew five saves. The group posted a 5.87 ERA in that span. Opponents hit .289 against them with runners in scoring position. The front office saw enough.
Other factors influenced the decision. Outfielder Andy Pages fractured his hand and is expected to miss four to five weeks. That injury compresses the bench, but it did not directly create the bullpen opening. The Hernández DFA was purely a performance-based move.
Hernández now enters the waiver process. The Dodgers have seven days to trade him, place him on waivers, or release him. Given his salary and declining output, a trade is unlikely. He will likely clear waivers. If he does, he can elect free agency or accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Hernández has the service time to reject an outright assignment. He has been in the majors since 2021. A six-year veteran with his track record may prefer to sign a minor league deal elsewhere rather than accept a demotion. The market for a 31-year-old reliever with a 4.91 ERA is thin. He may have to accept the assignment.
Stewart’s return reshapes the bullpen hierarchy. He slots into the setup role behind closer Evan Phillips. The Dodgers now have a back-end trio of Stewart, Phillips, and Alex Vesia. That group has the stuff to shorten games in October. The remaining schedule supports the aggressive approach. The Dodgers hold a 3.5-game lead in the NL West entering play on August 23. They face the Rockies, Diamondbacks, and Padres over the next two weeks. Those are division games with playoff implications. Stewart’s presence gives Roberts more options in close games.
The move is a calculated gamble. Stewart has a history of elbow issues. He missed significant time in 2023 and 2024. The Dodgers are betting his current health holds through the postseason. Hernández’s departure is a cost of that bet. The front office chose upside over stability. That is the win-now mentality in practice.
Fan reaction has been split. Some question the timing. Others see it as a necessary correction. The clubhouse has been quiet publicly. Players understand the business. The focus shifts to the field. Stewart is expected to pitch in Saturday’s game against Colorado. His velocity and command will be watched closely.
| Metric | Brock Stewart (2026 pre-IL) | Jonathan Hernández (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| ERA | 2.22 | 4.91 |
| WHIP | 0.94 | 1.39 |
| K/9 | 12.9 | 8.1 |
| Expected ERA | 3.01 | 5.24 |
| Barrel rate allowed | 6.4% | 11.2% |
The Dodgers have 34 games remaining. The bullpen was the team’s biggest vulnerability. Stewart’s return addresses that weakness directly. Whether it holds remains an open question. The front office made its choice. Now the games decide the rest.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why did the Dodgers cut Jonathan Hernández mid-series?
- A: Hernández was designated for assignment due to poor performance, including a 4.91 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and declining strikeout rate, which no longer justified his roster spot.
- Q: What does Brock Stewart’s return mean for the Dodgers’ bullpen?
- A: Stewart, who posted a 2.22 ERA before his injury, is expected to be used in high-leverage situations immediately, addressing recent bullpen failures that saw five blown saves in 12 games.
Extended Reading
The roster move was first reported by True Blue LA and confirmed by MLB Trade Rumors. Yahoo Sports noted the mid-series timing as a message to the clubhouse. Andy Pages’ fractured hand was reported separately by MLB Trade Rumors on August 22, 2026.