Dodgers Place Surprising Pitcher on Injured List After Calling Up Kyle Hurt
The Los Angeles Dodgers put relief pitcher Ben Casparius on the injured list on Monday.
After closer Edwin Diaz’s first blown start of the season , there was some speculation that the prized free agency acquisition could possibly be hurt.
When Kyle Hurt was called up to the majors, it seemed Diaz was headed to the IL.
It was instead Casparius, not Diaz, who’s injured.
What’s Wrong With Ben Casparius?
The team said Casparius is suffering from right shoulder inflammation.
The exact cause or extent of Casparius’ injury wasn’t immediately known, though the team said he’ll be on the injured list for 15 days .
How is Ben Casparius Playing This Season?
Thus far in the 2026 season, Casparius has struggled .
The righty had appeared in five games and pitched 4.2 innings.
In that time, he has an ERA of 9.64 and WHIP of 2.143.
He also has four strikeouts against four walks.
According to Baseball Savant , Casparius performed well in two categories: whiff percentage and hard-hit percentage. He’s in the 87th and 88th percentile for those categories.
In other statistics, though, he’s brutally low.
In expected ERA, for instance, he’s in the 13th percentile. In expected batting average, he’s in the 22nd percentile.
And in breaking run value, he’s in the 7th percentile.
What Can Dodgers Fans Expect From Kyle Hurt?
Hurt has limited MLB experience, with only four appearances to his name .
He had one appearance in 2023 and three in 2024 before he sustained a shoulder injury and was shut down for the year.
He also missed all of 2025 after Tommy John surgery.
The right-hander had a strong spring training with the Dodgers in 2026 after his return, though, pitching 7.1 innings in the Cactus League and striking out 12 batters.
Hurt has made six appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. In 4.2 innings pitched, he has an ERA of 5.79 ERA through 4.2 innings pitched with eight strikeouts. All three of his earned runs this season came from a single outing, and he has had five scoreless performances on the season.
How do you think Kyle Hurt will perform in his latest stint in the majors?
