May 1, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kyle Hurt (63) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSince 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.<\/p>\n
In fact, his profile has been so impressive that MLB.com named him the Dodgers\u2019 prospect with closer potential within the organization.<\/p>\n
\u201cAcquired 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,\u201d MLB.com wrote on the righty.<\/p>\n
\nKyle Hurt\u2019s potential<\/h2>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
His flexibility is impressive, and if he is needed in a pinch, the Dodgers could elect to use him as an innings eater.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
![\"App](\"https:\/\/dodgersnation.com\/path\/to\/app-icon.png\")
<\/p>\n