The Los Angeles Dodgers once again find themselves in first place in the National League West division despite the numerous injuries to members of their bullpen and starting pitchers here in 2024.
The bullpen has been especially remarkable with the best collective ERA since April 21, despite not having important pieces, such as Brusdar Graterol and, until recently, Blake Treinen.
Joe Kelly contributed in an increased role following Ryan Braiser’s injury, and he was a significant part of the quickly improving Dodgers bullpen before he was placed on the injured list. Kelly was in the position to receive high-leverage innings because of the absence of Graterol and others who were expected to have that role before the season began.
Graterol suffered an injury in Spring Training and has yet to pitch this season.
Their starting pitchers have also been great after an up and down start to the year. As the season has progressed the Dodgers have seen contributions from their two big offseason signings, a resurgence from the veteran James Paxton, and great development from Gavin Stone.
Despite the recent loss of Emett Sheehan for the season, the Dodgers starting pitching depth is only expected to get better as Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May work their way back from injury to hopefully contribute in 2024.
Dodgers injury updates
Joe Kelly
Kelly has been out since May 6 with right shoulder problems and there haven’t any new developments on that front since. That changed on Monday with news that Kelly had begun his first day of throwing since he has been on the injured list.
“Joe is actually playing catch today,” Roberts said before the game. “So he should be out there as we speak, throwing a baseball,” Roberts said.
The next steps for Kelly are still to be determined, but beginning to throw is a notable development after being shut down.
Brusdar Graterol
Coming off a career year in 2023, Graterol was expected to be one of the top weapons in the Dodgers bullpen this season, but right shoulder inflammation had other ideas.
It landed him on the 60-day injured list and has been very troublesome throughout his rehab process, leading to several setbacks.
His is still in the early stages of his rehab process and his return remains a long ways away.
“No. I don’t think so,” Roberts answered when asked if Graterol was playing catch. “If he was playing catch, he’s a ways away.”
Dustin May
May was one of five Dodgers starters with pre-existing injuries heading into 2024. He underwent right elbow surgery to repair his flexor tendon in July 2023, but the possibility remained for him to return at some point in 2024.
He remains at least a few months away, but he has begun to throw off a mound.
“He threw off a mound a couple of days ago, two, three days ago, and it was good,” Roberts said. “I actually saw it by way of video and just some fastballs, but it was good to see him get off the mound and the stroke looked really good.”
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