The Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed Mitch White back from the COVID-related injured list before the series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, but then placed Brusdar Graterol on the 10-day IL due to right forearm tightness moments before first pitch. Edwin Uceta was recalled to take his place.
Forearm tightness can often be a precursor to a more serious injury for a pitcher, which would be a crushing blow to the Dodgers. As it is, Graterol joined Corey Knebel and David Price as relief pitchers the Dodgers have recently lost to injury.
Knebel suffered a right lat strain that is expected to sideline him for multiple months, and Price a Grade 2 right hamstring strain that will cost him at least two weeks. Tony Gonsolin was put on the IL during the first week of the season because of right shoulder inflammation.
Graterol was delayed in building up during Spring Training and as a result did not appear in a Cactus League game. Graterol nor Dodgers manager Dave Roberts ever provided specifics, though it reportedly was COVID-related.
Graterol began the season on the 10-day IL before being activated April 18. He appeared in three games, allowing a combined three runs on three hits over 1.1 innings.
Uceta is on the Dodgers’ active roster for the first time in his career. Uceta began his professional career with the Dominican Summer League Dodgers in 2016, and joined Rookie level Ogden the following year.
The 22-year-old has reached as high as Double-A Tulsa, where he finished the 2019 season after starting off with High-A Rancho Cucamonga. Uceta went a combined 11-2 with a 2.77 ERA in 26 games (24 starts) that year.
The right-hander was part of the Dodgers’ player pool for the 2020 season, though it ended in disappointing fashion as he was put on the restricted list after violating MLB’s health and safety protocols.
Uceta allowed four runs on eight hits in three innings pitched across two relief appearances this past spring.
Dodgers waiting on Kelly
While there has been a wave of bad news for the Dodgers in terms of their bullpen, Joe Kelly continues to make progress toward being active for the first time this year. He has faced batters at the alternate training site and could join the Dodgers for next weekend’s series against the L.A. Angels.
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