The Los Angeles Dodgers recently saw Mookie Betts return to the lineup, and they may soon be getting back a key piece of their bullpen as well.
Brusdar Graterol is scheduled to throw for a second time in three days at Camelback Ranch and could potentially be activated as soon as this weekend. “His next turn is going to be on Thursday,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“If it goes well, he’ll join us on the trip as part of the taxi. As far as activation, we’ll know more once he gets through Thursday.”
Graterol couldn’t carry out any semblance of a throwing program this past offseason and consequently was behind at the start of Spring Training. He never appeared in a game and was placed on the 10-day injured list at the time of the Dodgers setting their Opening Day roster.
It has since been reported that Graterol’s IL stint was due to a previous bout with coronavirus (COVID-19).
The right-hander continues to make progress, however, and recently threw live batting practice to some of his teammates at Dodger Stadium. He also has faced Minor League players from different organizations.
“[Graterol and Joe Kelly] been throwing against the Padres and I think we’ve got a game on Thursday against the Rockies, so they’re playing different affiliates,” Roberts said.
Like Graterol, Joe Kelly opened the 2021 regular season on the 10-day injured list. He was hampered by shoulder inflammation for most of the spring and additionally did not appear in any games.
Gonsolin still hasn’t thrown bullpen session
While Graterol and Kelly have advanced to throwing bullpen sessions, the same can’t be said for Tony Gonsolin, who remains limited due to right shoulder inflammation.
“Relatively soon, but I don’t know the date,” Roberts said of when Gonsolin will resume throwing. “I know he’s still kind of letting it subside — the soreness and inflammation. He’ll pick up a baseball here soon and kind of the progression will start up again.”
Gonsolin went 2-2 with a 2.31 ERA in nine games (eight starts) for the Dodgers last season. Even with the current shoulder trouble, he figures to factor prominently in the team’s pitching plans for the season.
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