Brusdar Graterol was among the Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers who opened the 2024 season on the 15-day injured list.
Graterol was experiencing right shoulder discomfort, which was the result of left hip trouble that affected his mechanics. The right-hander was later transferred to the 60-day IL.
He pitched in just one Cactus League game, working a scoreless inning on March 2 before the injury came up.
Graterol has been working his way back, which included throwing long toss and a bullpen session on Monday, April 15.
“He should be facing some hitters and going on a rehab assignment, hopefully soon,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “What soon is, I don’t know. But I do know that he’s had a really good last week.”
The earliest Graterol is eligible to return from the IL is Monday, May 20, which is a home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
During the 2023 season, Graterol emerged as one of the Dodgers most reliable relievers. The right-hander posted a 1.20 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 3.03 FIP in 67.1 innings with 6.42 strikeouts per nine and 1.60 walks per nine. He holds a career 2.80 ERA in 183.1 innings.
Dodgers bullpen plan without Brusdar Graterol
Without Graterol, the Dodgers have relied upon Daniel Hudson as the bridge to Evan Phillips, and that duo has turned in strong results. However, the Dodgers bullpen as a whole has struggled, so the eventual returns of Graterol, along with Blake Treinen, would certainly be welcomed.
Treinen revealed he suffered fractured ribs in addition to a bruised lung as a result of getting hit by a comebacker, but he’s already facing batters and may soon begin a rehab assignment.
Nick Ramirez and Ricky Vanasco helped provide some much-needed relief on Monday night, albeit in a loss. The two combined to retire the final 12 batters faced against the Washington Nationals.
Vanasco’s two scoreless innings came in his MLB debut.
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