LOS ANGELES — Thirteen months to the day after he underwent Tommy John surgery, Dodgers right-hander Kyle Hurt was back on the mound at Dodger Stadium. This time, it was to face hitters in a simulated inning as part of his rehab process.

“To kind of be isolated or on an island, and then to get back in the mix, it’s good for them,” manager Dave Roberts said Saturday. “We wanted to get Kyle here to see his teammates, he’s going to spend a couple of days with us, so that’s a good thing. It’s a long road.”

On Saturday, Hurt faced left-handed batters Tommy Edman and Dalton Rushing and right-handed Justin Dean, facing each twice. He said the plan is to join Triple-A Oklahoma City and pitch for them beginning on Tuesday.

“It’s super exciting, to get under some lights, after a long road,” Hurt said. “It’s really cool to see other guys going through the process of getting back here, so my goal is to do that.”

Hurt had Tommy John surgery on July 30, 2024, and described his rehab as basically having to relearn how to throw a baseball. But one of the ancillary benefits of the long process was having lots of time to work on things, like refining his slider. He said he’s pitched for the last month and a half in Arizona, appearing in informal bridge games between teams at various complexes and spring training facilities, and has stretched out to two innings.

“Things aren’t going to feel great every day, but you just have to keep going. It’s great having other other guys around,” Hurt said. “It is a tough road, and it’s just so fulfilling to be facing hitters, and then going to Triple-A and getting in some games.”

Among the other Dodgers pitchers rehabbing after surgery this year with Hurt are Gavin Stone, Brusdar Graterol, River Ryan, as well as Emmet Sheehan, who returned in June and has been mostly in the Dodgers rotation for the last two months. Hurt had a locker next to Sheehan on Saturday in the Dodgers clubhouse at Dodger Stadium, and hopes to be back on the active roster at some point.

“Whatever they want me to do, I’m available,” Hurt said. “I just want to be an option.”

For a Dodgers team that has already used 39 pitchers this season, one shy of the club record, having more options is always preferred and it beats the alternative. Michael Kopech is expected to be activated by Tuesday when the Dodgers are in Pittsburgh. Brock Stewart, out with right shoulder inflammation, has resumed throwing but there isn’t yet a timetable for his return.

“If [Hurt] continues to trend, you never know how things are going to play out, but to keep that option alive and open is certainly the plan,” Roberts said.