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The Dodgers made it official Monday: Brock Stewart has been activated off the 15-day injured list ahead of tonight’s series opener against the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis, per Dodger Blue. In a corresponding move, Chayce McDermott has been optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Stewart had been sidelined since May 9 with a bone spur in his left foot — a frustrating injury that kept him out well beyond initial expectations. The original hope was for a relatively quick return, but the timeline kept stretching. We’d been tracking his progress closely over the past week, and the signs were pointing toward today being the day. Now it’s done, and the bullpen gets a real boost.

For Stewart, this is the latest chapter in one of the more interesting reclamation stories on the roster. After years bouncing around — including time in Korea and independent ball — Stewart carved out a legitimate role in the Dodgers’ bullpen. He’s been effective when healthy, bringing a high-spin fastball and a willingness to attack hitters in any count. The bone spur issue was the kind of nagging problem that doesn’t always require surgery but can absolutely rob you of your mechanics and comfort on the mound. Getting him back at full strength matters, especially with the pitching staff stretched as thin as it’s been.

McDermott, for his part, did what was asked of him during his time up. He was recalled when Blake Treinen hit the IL with elbow inflammation, and he filled a roster spot capably. But this was always the likely outcome once Stewart was ready — McDermott is still building toward being a consistent big-league contributor, and regular work at Oklahoma City serves him better than sporadic innings at the major league level. He’ll be back. The stuff is there.

The bigger picture here is that our bullpen is finally getting a piece back after a brutal stretch. We’ve been running short-handed for weeks between Treinen’s IL stint, Stewart’s absence, and the general wear and tear on a pitching staff that’s been asked to cover a lot of innings. Stewart stepping right back into leverage situations — assuming he’s sharp — gives Dave Roberts more options and takes pressure off arms that have been grinding. I like the timing of this, too. A long road trip is exactly when you need depth, and getting Stewart back before it starts rather than in the middle of it is the right break at the right time.

One thing I’ll be watching: how Stewart looks in his first few outings. The bone spur was clearly bothering him before he went on the IL, and these things don’t always just vanish. If he’s moving well and the velocity is back to where it was, this activation is a genuine needle-mover for the pitching staff. If he’s tentative or the foot is still an issue, we’ll know quickly. But for now, this is good news — straightforward, no caveats needed.

Source(s): Staff (Dodger Blue) | First reported: June 22, 2026 7:49 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers