As the Los Angeles Dodgers were approaching the end of Spring Training in Arizona, it became clear Brusdar Graterol was not going to be on the team’s Opening Day roster for the Seoul Series.
Manager Dave Roberts ruled Graterol out from traveling with the Dodgers due to left hip tightness and right shoulder discomfort. Roberts expressed hope the high-leverage reliever would make a recovery in time to be added onto the Dodgers roster for their Dodger Stadium opener on March 28.
That may be in question, however, as Graterol was placed on the 15-day injured list because of right shoulder inflammation.
When recently discussing the hip trouble, Graterol explained it impacted his mechanics, according to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
Since then, Graterol said he felt some tightness in his left hip — the leading hip in his high-velocity delivery — and “wasn’t able to land the way I wanted to” on the mound.
Graterol added the compromised hip and subsequent trouble with his delivery is what led to the right shoulder trouble:
Graterol says he thinks his shoulder discomfort, which he described as minor, was a result of overcompensating for his hip in his mechanics.
“I’ve been trying to work through some of that, loosen it up,” Graterol said in Spanish. “I’m just trying to prevent something major from happening.”
Graterol pitched in just one Cactus League game this year, throwing one scoreless inning against the Chicago Cubs on March 2.
The Dodgers have plenty of other right-handed bullpen options to help fill the void during Graterol’s absence. Ryan Brasier, Blake Treinen, Michael Grove, Joe Kelly, Evan Phillips, Daniel Hudson, Landon Knack and Kyle Hurt were with the team in South Korea.
Blake Treinen was expected to be part of that group but started the season on the IL as well because of a bruised lung.
When will Brusdar Graterol return?
Because of the Dodgers placing Graterol on the 15-day IL when setting their Opening Day roster, the earliest he can return us during the weekend of their home series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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