The Los Angeles Dodgers are inching closer to getting back two key relief pitchers as Brusdar Graterol and Blake Treinen began their respective rehab assignments with Triple-A Oklahoma City this past Friday.
Graterol tossed a scoreless inning against the Texas Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate Round Rock Express and went on to put up another zero in the series finale.
As for Treinen, he appeared retired all three batters faced in the series opener. He then didn’t pitch again until Tuesday, facing five batters because two reached on an error. Treinen nonetheless completed another scoreless inning.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been encouraged by both pitchers but reiterated Graterol is more likely to rejoin the team first, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“Brusdar has already thrown twice. He threw [Sunday] night, threw the baseball well. I think he’s going to have another one or two more; he might do a back-to-back. Treinen threw Friday and he’s going to throw Tuesday. Brusdar, as we’ve talked about, he’s on a faster track but both guys have thrown well so far.”
Graterol pitched another scoreless inning for OKC on Wednesday, and should complete a back-to-back Thursday. If all goes well, he could be activated this weekend.
Treinen has been out since April 22 because of a right shoulder injury, but is projected to be activated off the 60-day IL on or around Sept. 1. Prior to joining OKC, he faced batters in multiple simulated games, including Justin Turner and Joey Gallo at Dodger Stadium last week.
“Every day has got to be good, and the next day has to feel better. From there we move forward,” Treinen said after facing his teammates. “I would say it feels like it’s trending in the right direction still. But it’s not so much how I feel right now, it’s how I feel tomorrow.
“And then I have to get to the point where I can go back-to-back. But today was a good step, for sure.”
Graterol & Treinen among pitchers Dodgers hoping return
In addition to Graterol and Treinen, the Dodgers are optimistic Yency Almonte, Victor González and Tommy Kahnle will pitch again this season.
As for the starting rotation, Clayton Kershaw is a candidate to return in September, while Dustin May will make his 2022 debut this weekend against the Miami Marlins.
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