While the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen has not been a strength for the club in 2023, Brusdar Graterol has emerged as one of the brighter spots recently.
The right-hander has posted a 2.53 ERA across 10.2 innings with a 1.03 WHIP and 10 strikeouts. He last pitched two innings on Sunday, earning a save against the Chicago Cubs for his first of the season.
Graterol got off to a slow start, but he has stepped up when the club needed him most. However, the Dodgers will now be without him for a few days as the 24-year-old is set to go on paternity leave, according to Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
Speaking of paternity list, #Dodgers Brusdar Graterol left to Los Angeles after yesterday’s game. So add another one to the paternity list.
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) April 24, 2023
Per MLB roster rules, a player that goes on the paternity list is required to miss a minimum of one day but can’t be away from the team for more than three days. No corresponding move has been announced to replace Graterol on the Dodgers roster yet.
Evan Phillips was previously placed on paternity leave on April 20, which means his max of three days on leave has been used, making him an option to replace Graterol. However, the Dodgers transferred Phillips to the bereavement list on April 24, but the reason for that is unclear.
Outside of Phillips, all the Dodgers pitchers currently on the 40-man roster are either active or currently on the injured list, which gives no clear option of who the team will call up if they do not activate Phillips.
Caleb Ferguson should be considered the favorite to pitch in save opportunities unless Phillips is activated, but Shelby Miller and Phil Bickford could also be options if the Dodgers face a right-handed heavy group of hitters for the ninth.
Dodgers reportedly call up Michael Busch
The Dodgers have used the paternity list often in recent days, with Mookie Betts and Max Muncy also leaving the team to be with their newborns. Muncy is the most recent to join the list, which led to the team reportedly calling up top second base prospect Michael Busch to make his MLB debut.
Losing Muncy from the lineup takes a key contributor away from the Dodgers, but Busch has gotten off to a blistering start with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. He’s hit .337/.461/.506 with eight doubles, two home runs and 16 RBI through 21 games.
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