Brusdar Graterol was expected to play a key role in the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen during the 2022 season, but injuries limited his usage in what was overall a quality year.
In his first 37 games of the season, Graterol pitched to a 3.35 ERA, 3.31 FIP, 0.97 WHIP, 21.9% strikeout rate and 6.3% walk rate over 40.1 innings. He also added three saves in four opportunities as his role and importance to the bullpen increased following injuries to Blake Treinen, Tommy Kahnle and Daniel Hudson.
However, on July 14, Graterol was placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. It came roughly a week after Graterol was removed from a game due to side soreness, and the Dodgers expressed optimism that he would avoid a trip on the IL.
Graterol missed more than a month while on the IL despite the club’s hope his time on the shelf would be a brief stint. He didn’t return until August 22.
The right-hander made four more appearances for the team after being activated, but found himself back on the IL on September 1 due to right elbow soreness. Graterol returned to the team three weeks later as his attention shifted to preparing for the postseason.
He ended up allowing three earned runs in his five appearances to close out the season and finished the year throwing 49.2 innings with a 3.26 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 0.99 WHIP, 21.8% strikeout rate and 5.1% walk rate.
Graterol made the Dodgers postseason roster and in his first appearance, he earned a hold while throwing 0.1 scoreless inning in the Game 1 win against the San Diego Padres during the National League Division Series.
During his second appearance the following day, Graterol gave up one unearned run over one inning and was credited with the loss. He did not appear again before the Dodgers were eliminated in the NLDS.
Brusdar Graterol 2022 highlight
On July 10, Graterol pitched two scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs in an 11-9 Dodgers victory. He only struck out one batter, but no one reached base against him and he was credited with his third save of the year.
2023 outlook
With no set closer on the roster, Graterol will once again enter the season as a late-inning and high-leverage option for the Dodgers. He will be in the mix to save games, but may find himself buried a bit on the depth chart behind Evan Phillips, Yency Almonte, Alex Vesia and Hudson.
Graterol could see some regression as a ground ball specialist with the shift no longer an option for defenses unless he is able to increase his strikeout rate to counter the likely increase in hits against him.
He will also need to show more effective results against left-handed hitters, or that may limit his late-inning chances even further and force him into a middle relief and right-handed specialst role.
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