Dodgers lose to Reds 5-2 but overhaul their bullpen on July 31, trading James Outman to the Twins for dominant reliever Brock Stewart. Read the full breakdown.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of hellos and goodbyes in Dodgerland. Even as the team dropped a frustrating series finale 5-2 to the Reds, the real action was happening off the field. The front office executed a flurry of trade deadline deals, most notably bringing reliever Brock Stewart back to Los Angeles in a move that sent fan-favorite outfielder James Outman to the Minnesota Twins. It's a classic baseball trade: sacrificing a piece of the present for a chance at a better future, one high-leverage inning at a time.
In a deal driven by necessity, the Dodgers sent James Outman to Minnesota, addressing a bullpen that ranked a concerning 22nd in MLB with a 4.24 ERA.
The biggest splash of the day was the return of Brock Stewart. The right-hander, who began his career in LA, was re-acquired from the Minnesota Twins for outfielder James Outman. This wasn't just a sentimental move; it was a strategic strike to fix the team's most glaring weakness. Stewart has been dominant for the Twins, posting a stellar 2.38 ERA with a 30% strikeout rate over 34 innings. He's expected to immediately slot into a high-leverage role for a Dodgers bullpen that has been battered by injuries. The cost, however, was steep in terms of sentiment. The Dodgers thanked James Outman on social media for his contributions, a bittersweet farewell to a player who had several memorable moments in blue.
As if one trade wasn't enough, the Dodgers also participated in a complex three-team deal with the Rays and Reds. The move adds catcher Ben Rortvedt for organizational depth, along with two intriguing pitching prospects: right-hander Paul Gervase and lefty Adam Serwinowski. Serwinowski is the prize here, ranked as the Reds' No. 10 prospect after striking out 92 batters in just 74.1 innings at High-A. To complete the deal, LA sent catcher Hunter Feduccia and pitcher Brian Van Belle to the Rays. While not as flashy as the Stewart deal, these are the kinds of moves that keep the farm system pipeline flowing.
Oh yeah, there was a game today, too. Unfortunately, it served as a perfect advertisement for why the front office was so busy. After a solid start from Bobby Miller (6 IP, 2 R, 7 K) and a solo shot from Freddie Freeman that tied the game in the sixth, the bullpen couldn't hold the line. J.P. Feyereisen surrendered a two-run, go-ahead triple to Spencer Steer in the eighth inning, sealing the 5-2 loss and preventing a series sweep in Cincinnati. Mookie Betts had a good day at the plate, going 2-for-4, but the offense couldn't muster enough to overcome the late-game collapse.
With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the Dodgers' path forward is clear. The front office has made its moves, bringing in a high-leverage arm and adding organizational depth. Now, it's about integrating Brock Stewart into the bullpen and getting this team firing on all cylinders for the stretch run. Tonight's loss was a bitter pill, but it was also a stark reminder of why these changes were made. The quest for an October title just got a new look.
