Multiple injuries plaguing the Los Angeles Dodgers have been a major ongoing storyline throughout the first three months of the 2024 season. Two of those have been season-long, with Brusdar Graterol and Dustin May yet to make an appearance for the Dodgers.
May’s absence thus far was expected as he recovers from Tommy John revision for a Grade 2 sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow.
Meanwhile, Graterol has been out since Spring Training due to right shoulder inflammation, an injury that originally was not expected to be a long-term issue.
Both are trying to work their way back and positively impact the Dodgers this season, and according to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times, Graterol and May are making progress with bullpen sessions:
Dustin May and Brusdar Graterol are throwing bullpens. Roberts called the sessions “promising” and still expects both to return this year, though their timelines are TBD.
Of course, with injuries like the ones May and Graterol suffered, having an exact timeline is truly an impossible game. The best both can do is slowly make progress from one phase of rehab to the next and hope that there are no setbacks.
What makes their bullpen sessions encouraging is likely that they are ramping up in their velocity and pitch counts without having any major pain or inflammation in Graterol’s shoulder or May’s elbow. Roberts had recently indicated May’s velocity was surpassing 90 mph.
After bullpen sessions — if there are no issues — would come short simulated games that would eventually extend. Once that step is complete without issue, they could then move to a rehab assignment. Given that both haven’t pitched this season, each of these steps would be longer than a pitcher who has already made a 2024 appearance.
Brusdar Graterol’s outlook
Even with the encouraging Graterol update, Roberts previously said the right-hander likely would not return for multiple months. That projection puts Graterol on track to join the Dodgers bullpen in August, if not early September.
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