The Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen remains without multiple key contributors, including Brusdar Graterol, who has yet to pitch this season.
Graterol dealt with right shoulder inflammation during Spring Training that he believed stemmed from mechanics becoming compromised because of left hip trouble. The shoulder issue limited him to just one Cactus League appearance before Graterol began the season on the 15-day injured list.
The Dodgers transferred Graterol to the 60-day IL on April 2 as a corresponding move to acquiring Nick Ramirez in a trade with the New York Yankees
Graterol’s shoulder injury has lingered much longer than first anticipated, but he made enough progress last week to throw a bullpen session at Camelback Ranch, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Roberts said right-hander Brusdar Graterol has progressed far enough in his throwing program to throw a bullpen session at Camelback Ranch in Arizona earlier this week.
During the spring, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he believed Graterol was going to be available in time for the Dodger Stadium opener. That possibility was ruled out when Graterol landed on the 15-day IL as part of the Dodgers setting their Opening Day roster for the Seoul Series.
The 25-year-old started to make progress toward beginning a rehab assignment in the middle of April but suffered a setback and had to be shut down from throwing.
When can Brusdar Graterol return?
The earliest date Graterol was eligible to be activated off the 60-day IL was Monday, May 20.
Even with his recent progress, Roberts had already made it clear the right-hander was multiple months from returning. However, that included Roberts noting Graterol had not even resumed playing catch.
Considering Roberts’ remarks were at the beginning of June, it’s plausible he may have been mistaken due to it not being likely for Graterol to start playing catch and throw a bullpen session in such a short amount of time.
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