Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Kyle Hurt got the nod to join the bullpen after Ben Casparius suffered shoulder inflammation, and his start has been quite impressive.
Hurt sits as No. 23 on MLB.com’s ranking of Dodgers prospects, not shedding the label as the prospect label just yet, despite 13 game appearances dating back to 2023.
The righty has gone through his own injury problems, failing to stay healthy. He went through Tommy John surgery back in July 2024, which knocked him out for the entire 2025 season.
However, he entered Spring Training healthy, and after the first injury to the bullpen, Hurt was the first name to be called up.
Since breaking through, Hurt has a 1.00 ERA in nine innings, with a 0.92 FIP and 1.36 xERA. His peripherals and production all indicate that he is the real deal as a reliever.
In fact, his profile has been so impressive that MLB.com named him the Dodgers’ prospect with closer potential within the organization.
“Acquired from the Marlins along with Alex Vesia in a February 2021 trade for Dylan Floro, Hurt has recovered from Tommy John surgery in July 2024 to regain his mid-90s fastball that touches 99 mph with carry and fading upper-80s changeup,” MLB.com wrote on the righty.
Hurt, despite missing so much time on the injured list, is still just 27 years old. His fastball has a good shape, earning him a 70 grade from MLB Pipeline and a 60 grade from FanGraphs.
His change-up has a 60 grade from both sites, highlighting his potential as a two-pitch reliever. While not as good as his other two pitches, Hurt throws a cutter/slider and a curveball as well.
Hurt has not been used in 2026, simplifying his mix, though he has been a starter in the past, which means he has pulled those pitches in the past.
His flexibility is impressive, and if he is needed in a pinch, the Dodgers could elect to use him as an innings eater.
Barring a need in the rotation or a massive step forward in one of the other pitches, Hurt will end up being relegated to the bullpen, where he could really be a closer.
LA Baseball Report
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