The Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt with a rash of injuries throughout the 2024 season but recently have gotten into better health, and that should continue over the next week as Mookie Betts, Walker Buehler and Ryan Brasier all return.
So far in the second half of the season, the Dodgers activated Joe Kelly, Jason Heyward, Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, Brusdar Graterol, Miguel Rojas and Michael Grove off the injured list.
Graterol unfortunately landed back on the 15-day IL because of a right hamstring strain suffered just eight pitches into his 2024 debut. There was some concern the new injury would end Graterol’s season, but an MRI revealed it to be a Grade 1 hamstring strain.
Meanwhile, there’s an expectation for Betts, Buehler and Brasier to join the Dodgers’ roster at various points during their upcoming road trip.
Dodgers injuries
Mookie Betts
Manager Dave Roberts said Mookie Betts is expected to return to the Dodgers lineup on Monday for the series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Betts played in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, and took more at-bats against live pitching Friday and Saturday. He’s going to participate in normal batting practice Sunday in preparation to travel with the team for his activation.
Betts has been on the 10-day injured list since June 17 because of a fractured left hand. He was projected to be out six to eight weeks.
When Betts does return, he not only is doing so in a new spot of the Dodgers lineup as Shohei Ohtani is going to remain their leadoff hitter, but also to play right field despite the initial plan of staying at shortstop.
Walker Buehler
Walker Buehler is poised to join the Dodgers rotation on Wednesday, for the third game of the series at American Family Field. The Dodgers planned to utilize a six-man rotation one time through as they navigate a stretch of 13 consecutive games without an off day, but that could change in the wake of River Ryan’s right forearm injury.
Buehler returned from a second career Tommy John surgery on May 6 but struggled through eight starts before going on the 15-day IL because of right hip inflammation.
Since being sidelined, Buehler went to Cressey Sports Performance in Florida in effort to correct various issues that plagued him. He remained in contact with Dodgers pitching coaches during that time and rejoined the team during a homestand last month.
Buehler began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on July 26 and made three starts for the Dodgers’ top Minor League affiliate.
The last of which came on Thursday, when Buehler allowed just one run and had five strikeouts over 5.1 innings. He retired 13 batters in a row at one point.
Ryan Brasier
A specific date is unclear, but Ryan Brasier should join the Dodgers bullpen some time during their series against the st. Louis Cardinals, from Aug. 16-18.
Brasier has been out since April 29 (retroactive to April 28) because of a right calf strain. The Dodgers transferred him to the 60-day IL on June 13, which made June 27 the earliest date for an activation.
That never appeared to be in the cards anyhow, as Brasier faced a prolonged recovery. He too has been on a rehab assignment with the Oklahoma City Baseball Club and will be a welcomed fresh arm for a Dodgers bullpen that again has taken on a significant workload.
The Dodgers need to make room on their 40-man roster in order to activate Brasier.
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