The Los Angeles Dodgers lost yet another relief pitcher when Brusdar Graterol was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to right shoulder inflammation. Graterol’s IL stint was backdated to July 11, which makes him eligible to return immediately after the All-Star break.
Graterol last pitched in the series finale against the Chicago Cubs, completing two innings to convert a save opportunity while Craig Kimbrel was still unavailable due to being struck by a comebacker.
The Dodgers presumably wanted to get Graterol a second day of rest Tuesday, but he had not experienced trouble, likely would’ve appeared in the middle game of the series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Manager Dave Roberts explained when Graterol felt discomfort in his throwing shoulder and downplayed concern despite an MRI being scheduled, via SportsNet LA:
“He’s doing OK. [Wednesday] with his throwing program, I thought he came out of it well and then he started doing some stuff before his routine as far as plyo ball work, and then he felt some type of twinge or something like that. So we shut him down, going to get an MRI [Friday]. He’s available the Tuesday or Wednesday, I think, after the All-Star break because of the backdate. So hopefully at that point in time he’ll be ready to go. … I think we’re pretty optimistic.”
In 40.1 innings this season, Graterol has pitched to a 3.35 ERA and 3.31 FIP while striking out 21.9% of hitters and walking 6.3%. In parts of four seasons with the Dodgers, he is a combined 7-6 with a 3.80 ERA across 106.2 innings.
Graterol recently dealt with a cramp on his left side that forced him to leave a game after throwing just four pitches, but after testing the Dodgers decided to keep him on the active roster and he was available after rest.
Taylor resumed limited baseball activities
In addition to dealing with a rash of injuries to their pitching staff, the Dodgers remain without Chris Taylor since a CT scan revealed a small fracture in his left foot.
Roberts said Taylor has started some activity but remains limited, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Outfielder Chris Taylor has begun some baseball activities – hitting in the cage and playing catch.
The Dodgers don’t expect Taylor to return until some time after the All-Star break as well, and that could be dependent on pain tolerance.
Roberts previously indicated the Dodgers hadn’t yet decided if Taylor would undergo another scan on his foot before getting activated off the IL.
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