Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Stewart, Heating up Puig and Jansen, Trading for Machado

Brock Stewart was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday afternoon, May 22, to make his first major league start in 2018. The 25-year old right-handed pitcher has been a starter in Triple-A this year, a reliever in the big leagues, and on Tuesday he was a starter again at the games highest level. Despite being stretched out as a starter in the minors, Stewart was only allowed to pitch four innings and was removed at that point with 63 pitches under his belt. Stewart’s constant movement between the majors and minors this year has, as admitted by Stewart himself, been a bother and a disruptor of rhythm yet the Dodgers may shuttle him out of the big leagues yet again. According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Dave Roberts thinks Stewart earned another start but there is still no guarantee he gets one. Stewart’s status as a big leaguer is worth monitoring in the coming days as it appears to be fluid and uncertain.

Other notes…

• Fan-favorite outfielder, Yasiel Puig, started the year off painfully slow and as if things could not get worse for him he has already been on the DL with simultaneous injuries, one to the leg and one to the foot. Puig tumultuous start to the season was, and still is a concern for most Dodger fans but, after a home run against the Rockies on May 23, Puig’s luck may be changing. On the season, he is hitting just .221 with five home runs and a .688 OPS but his last seven games provide a glimmer of hope moving forward In the last seven, Puig is hitting .316 with four of his five home runs. The 27-year old is back on track and ready to have fun on the diamond yet again.

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• Like his teammate Puig, Kenley Jansen appears to be breaking out of a funk of his own. Jansen started off the season in scary passion as he was wild and hittable, a rare combination for any Reliever of the Year Award Recipient. Jansen, like Puig, has seen a great deal of success in his last seven appearances where he has not given up a run and has a WHIP of .50. Jansen was, and still is a key piece of the Dodger bullpen and his turn around this year is crucial to that continued success. Also, worth note is Jansen’s ERA+ on the season has climbed back up over 100 now sitting at a comfortable 120.

• Manny Machado has been connected to the Dodgers in trade rumors for the past few seasons but never so much as when Corey Seager went down with a torn UCL resulting in Tommy John Surgery. Machado, now a shortstop, has been an offensive juggernaut this year, hitting .343 with 15 home runs, good for second in all of baseball. His defense has also been up to par with his traditionally exceptional defensive skills. But, those who are closer to the organization believe that Machado is both an unrealistic and unnecessary addition for this year as the team is speculated to be unwilling to trade the talent necessary to complete a deal. Also, a Machado trade would crowd an infield that currently provides a starting spot to 2017 break out star, Chris Taylor. If the Dodgers trade for Machado, it will truly be a shock to the world.

Next: Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Kershaw's Last Step, Toles Not Progressing, Peters Raking