Dodgers @ Brewers June 29, 2016: Brock Stewart’s MLB debut

Dodgers
Brewers
5:10 p.m. PT
Milwaukee
2B
Utley
SS
Villar
SS
Seager
2B
Gennett
3B
Turner
LF
Braun
1B
González
C
Lucroy
LF
Kendrick
1B
Carter
CF
Thompson
3B
Hill
RF
Puig
CF
Nieuwenhuis
C
Ellis
RF
Flores
P
Stewart (R)
P
Guerra (R)

So far in 2016, the Dodgers have used eight different starting pitchers. Tonight, Brock Stewart‘s major league debut will make it nine. Earlier today, Chad covered Stewart’s astoundingly fast-tracked journey from High-A to the majors. Here’s an excerpt on what Stewart has done to this point, and what to look for from him:

Starting from high-A, he’s now been promoted three times this year thanks to a remarkable 1.47 ERA across all levels in 86 innings. Stewart has also struck out 99 and walked just 14 for a nice sub-2 FIP, so his numbers weren’t the result of balls finding gloves, and his promotions have been well deserved.

Stewart’s pitches have all taken a step forward, and now he has a four-pitch mix with a sinker, cutter (or sharper slider), slider, and change, all of which have played up in the minors because of his ability to throw strikes. The sinker is 92-94 mph and has touched 96, and both the slider and change currently grade out as average, with the cutter/slider being the likely swing-and-miss offering in most cases.

These were the moves made in order to activate Stewart:

We’re totally calling him “Brock Brock” from now on. Also, RIP, Kiké. Also, super RIP Alex Wood (who won’t be eligible to come back before July 30).

The Dodgers will face Junior Guerra for the second time in two weeks. Guerra started the one game that the Dodgers lost in their four-game series at home against Milwaukee, though he wasn’t exactly lights outs in that appearance. The Brewers righty allowed five runs on five hits and a walk in five and one-third innings of work, striking out four. In his ten starts this season, Guerra has a 3.67 ERA (3.89 FIP) and a 1.14 WHIP through 61 and one-third IP.

Guerra will not see Joc Pederson, who exited last night’s game after colliding with the center field wall while making a stellar catch. Pederson hasn’t yet been placed on the DL, but Dave Roberts isn’t ruling that out:

More details on Joc’s condition from Bill Plunkett:

That stinks.

Roberts also provided a number of updates with regards to the Dodgers’ rotation. We’ll start with what everyone cares about the most:

Please be okay, Clayton.

It looks like Julio Urías may be sticking around for a while:

And, finally, there was this, on Carlos Frias and Mike Bolsinger:

That is, of course, assuming the Dodgers don’t look elsewhere for rotation help:

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About Sarah Wexler

Sarah Wexler is a native Angeleno and longtime Dodger fan. She began blogging about baseball in 2012 on her Tumblr, New Grass On The Field, where she covered an array of topics but especially enjoyed exploring baseball history. She is now a reporter/producer for MLB.com. She earned her master's degree in Sports Management from Cal State Long Beach. She graduated from New York University in 2014 with a bachelor's in History and a minor in American Studies. She's an avid Springsteen fan, which is a big boost to her baseball writer cred.