Although the Los Angeles Dodgers recently welcomed back Clayton Kershaw, Blake Treinen is back on the injured list and their pitching staff remains without the likes of Yency Almonte, Brusdar Graterol and Tony Gonsolin as well.
For Almonte and Gonsolin, their expected returns has been delayed due to a slower-than-anticipated recovery process. Meanwhile, Graterol appeared in just four games after returning from right shoulder inflammation before needing to go back on the 15-day injured list due to elbow trouble.
Fortunately for the Dodgers, MRIs on Almonte, Graterol and Gonsolin did not reveal a more serious injury for any of the three right-handers.
And according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Almonte, Graterol and Gonsolin will each throw a bullpen session at Petco Park on Sunday:
Tony Gonsolin will throw a bullpen session on Sunday, Dave Roberts said, first time going off a mound since going on the IL.
Yency Almonte threw one today and will throw another on Sunday, as will Brusdar Graterol.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 9, 2022
The bullpen session will be a first for Gonsolin and Graterol since either was put on the IL. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts previously said that would not be a step Gonsolin could take until first throwing from flat ground at 150 feet.
At the time of going on the IL because of a right forearm strain, Gonsolin and the Dodgers projected he would return once eligible. His stint began Aug. 29, but was backdated to Aug. 26, which makes this weekend the earliest Gonsolin can be activated. That of course is not going to come to fruition.
Graterol initially refrained from throwing to rest his elbow but has otherwise progressed with his recovery.
Almonte threw his first bullpen session last week, though it was limited in types of pitches. That he advanced to throw another and is scheduled to complete a third is an encouraging sign for the Dodgers.
Dodgers bullpen outlook
While the Dodgers certainly anticipate the returns of Almonte and Graterol, it will create a bit of a roster crunch. Particularly if or when Duffy, González and Kahnle are able to enter the picture as well.
Roberts recently estimated the team will have 32 players to consider for their 26-man postseason roster.
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