LOS ANGELES – In an exclusive one-on-one interview, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Kyle Hurt opened up about his remarkable journey back from Tommy John surgery, his deep-rooted Southern California identity, and his burning desire to rejoin the big league club, speaking candidly about the mental and physical grind of recovery.
Hurt, a Southern California native and USC alumnus, has spent his entire baseball career in the Golden State, a fact that fills him with palpable pride. The 26-year-old right-hander, who made his major league debut last season against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium, described the experience as surreal, with family and friends packing the stands to witness his milestone moment. “It was pretty cool, man,” Hurt said, his voice carrying a mix of humility and excitement. “I had some family there, some friends, and a lot of friends watching. Especially the Padres, it was fun. I got a lot of messages from friends, so it was a good time.”
The debut was just the beginning of a whirlwind journey that took Hurt to Seoul, South Korea, for the Dodgers’ season-opening series earlier this year. He described the unique challenges of pitching in a foreign ballpark, including an underground bullpen that required a 15-flight stair climb and a delayed live feed that forced teammates to shout updates from the top of the stairs. “It was kind of interesting,” Hurt recalled with a chuckle. “If somebody would get hot, we’d have like the live feed, and it was like 20 seconds behind. So, there’d be a guy like the top of the stairs screaming down, ‘One out, two out.’ That was a pretty fun experience being in the big leagues doing that.”
But the joy of those moments was tempered by a devastating setback. Hurt underwent Tommy John surgery, a procedure that sidelines pitchers for at least a year, forcing him into a grueling rehabilitation process. He described the experience as “very draining,” noting the monotony of daily rehab for nine months before even stepping on a mound. “You do the same thing every day for nine months, and then once you start getting on the mound, it gets a little bit more fun,” he said. “But it is a long process. The Dodgers are very helpful with everything that goes on behind the scenes, especially with surgery guys. I’m just happy to be a part of this program, and they’ve been so great to me throughout the whole TJ process.”
The mental toll of the injury, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic that wiped out the 2020 season, tested Hurt’s resilience. He drew parallels between the isolation of pandemic lockdowns and the solitude of rehab, finding solace in camaraderie with fellow injured players. “It didn’t feel like COVID during TJ, but it just felt like I was working out by myself, and there wasn’t a whole lot going on,” he said. “That was kind of similar to the TJ process, but there were some good guys that were also doing rehab, so it was fun to be around them.”
Hurt’s journey has been shaped by failure as much as success. He pointed to a stretch in 2022 when he experienced consistent failure for two to three months, a period that forced him to refocus on the present moment. “I learned a lot from that,” he said. “I learned about just how to go about pitch by pitch and outing by outing, rather than thinking about what’s going to happen. You can’t control after the ball leaves your hand. Experiencing failure really helped shape who I am right now, and also the Tommy John process. There’s been a lot of downtime and a lot of thinking, so I’m just super excited to be here now.”
Now fully recovered, Hurt is eager to return to the major leagues, but he faces the uncertainty of a reliever’s life, where a call-up can come at any moment. He is currently with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, waiting for an opportunity. “I feel very eager,” he admitted. “You put in a lot of work to get back to where you were, and it’s very disappointing not starting with the big league team. But most importantly, I feel great. I’m really excited to have a regular full healthy season. The bullpen is a very volatile situation, either to give somebody rest or injuries happen left and right, and you just have to stay ready.”
Hurt’s mental approach to the waiting game is grounded in stoicism. “There are a lot of thoughts about what can happen, but you can’t really control anything,” he said. “A big thing for me is just being the same person every day. If it happens, it happens. I hope it’ll happen soon, but I really think it’ll happen at some point during the season. I’m trying to stay where my feet are right now.”
When asked about his arsenal, Hurt described a three-pitch mix of fastball, slider, and changeup, with the latter emerging as his go-to weapon. “As a reliever, you don’t need that four-pitch, five-pitch mix,” he explained. “You just need something to steal a strike and something to put a guy away, and then another pitch to keep them off your two out pitches. My changeup feels really great right now, and I feel like that’s a very good pitch for me to throw in any count. I’m just excited to keep throwing it and get guys out.”
Hurt’s message to Dodgers fans, who are known for their fervent support across the globe, was simple and direct. “I don’t change a thing,” he said, his tone resolute. “That’s all I got to say.” He then added a nod to his USC roots, signing off with the Trojans’ rallying cry: “Fight on.”
The Dodgers organization has a storied history of developing pitchers who overcome adversity, and Hurt’s story fits that narrative. His ability to navigate the emotional highs and lows of professional baseball, from the thrill of a debut to the grind of rehab, speaks to a maturity beyond his years. As he continues his comeback, the team and its fans are watching closely, knowing that his journey is far from over.
Hurt’s path to the majors was paved with local ties. Growing up in Southern California, he was drawn to USC by the legacy of football stars Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, but he quickly fell in love with the school’s historic baseball program. “Always been a Trojan fan,” he said. “Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart kind of got me on that love for the Trojan family. That was a big reason why I went there, and obviously they have a very historic baseball program. Also being a Dodger in LA, just being in SoCal my whole life, it’s really cool being close to family and friends. I love it.”
The Dodgers selected Hurt in the fifth round of the 2020 MLB Draft, a year marked by uncertainty due to the pandemic. He made his professional debut in 2021 and quickly rose through the ranks, showcasing a powerful arm and a competitive edge. His major league debut in 2023 was a testament to his perseverance, but the Tommy John surgery that followed threatened to derail his momentum. Instead, it has become a defining chapter in his career.
Hurt’s recovery has been meticulous, with the Dodgers’ medical and training staff playing a crucial role. He praised the organization for its support, noting that the team’s resources and expertise made the process more manageable. “They’ve been so great to me throughout the whole TJ process,” he said. “I’m just happy to be a part of this program.”
As he prepares for the next chapter, Hurt is focused on staying ready for any opportunity. The Dodgers’ bullpen is a dynamic unit, with roles shifting based on performance and health. Hurt’s ability to adapt and his confidence in his changeup could make him a valuable asset in high-leverage situations. His mindset is one of patience and preparation, a combination that has served him well through the ups and downs of his career.
The interview, conducted on the Locked On Dodgers podcast, offered a rare glimpse into the mind of a pitcher navigating the complexities of professional baseball. Hurt’s honesty about his struggles and his optimism about the future resonated with listeners, many of whom have followed his journey from USC to the majors and back.
For Dodgers fans, Hurt’s story is a reminder of the resilience required to succeed at the highest level. His connection to Southern California, his alma mater, and his team adds a layer of authenticity that endears him to the fan base. As he continues his comeback, the anticipation builds for his return to the mound at Dodger Stadium, where the roar of the crowd will welcome him back.
Hurt’s final words were a testament to his character. “Fight on,” he said, echoing the spirit of USC and the Dodgers. It’s a mantra that has carried him through the toughest moments of his career, and one that will undoubtedly guide him as he chases his dream of a full, healthy season in the majors. The journey is far from over, but Kyle Hurt is ready for whatever comes next.
