The Los Angeles Dodgers are slow-playing Brusdar Graterol in Spring Training as he works his way back from missing the entirety of last season due to injury.
He is one of the players who is set to miss Opening Day due to being so limited in Spring Training so far. Graterol has not pitched since undergoing right labrum surgery in 2024.
The right-hander hasn’t been making any progress toward ramping up his throwing program, and they’re in a wait-and-see situation, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Reliever Brusdar Graterol is in “a holding pattern” in his attempt to return from shoulder surgery in November 2024, according to Roberts.
“I wouldn’t say progress. I wouldn’t say a setback,” Roberts said. “I just think that, right now, from what I’ve heard, we don’t feel in a position to kind of ramp him up, so he’s just playing catch. And I don’t think we’re gonna see him on the mound for a little bit longer.”
The Dodgers are taking the necessary precautions because of Graterol’s injury history over the past two seasons, but also because of how impactful of an arm he can be when on the mound.
In parts of five seasons with the Dodgers, Graterol owns a 10-8 record with a 2.69 ERA, 3.19 FIP and 1.03 WHIP over 181 innings pitched.
He is one of a few pitchers the team is banking on being effective coming back from injury, which also includes Evan Phillips and Brock Stewart.
The Dodgers expect Phillips to be activated sometime in July. He managed to pitch in just seven games last season before going back on the injured list due to right forearm discomfort that ultimately led to season-ending Tommy John surgery
Stewart is part of the team’s bullpen plans for this season, but his return is also projected to be slightly delayed. He appeared in four games for the Dodgers before landing on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation.
Blake Snell is likely missing Dodgers’ Opening Day
Graterol is not the only pitcher the Dodgers expect to be without on Opening Day, as it is looking increasingly more likely that Blake Snell will not be available as well.
The left-hander has been making slow and steady progress in his throwing program, but it won’t be sufficient to be prepared for Opening Day.
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