The Los Angeles Dodgers are due to absorb another loss heading into the 2025 season as Brusdar Graterol underwent right shoulder surgery to repair his labrum.
Graterol revealed the surgery on social media, which the Dodgers confirmed shortly after. Graterol’s post included mention of dealing with a great deal of frustration throughout the 2024 season because of the lingering right shoulder trouble that twice forced him to the injured list.
Graterol missed the majority of this past season with shoulder inflammation, an injury believed to have stemmed from some trouble with his left hip during Spring Training. The Dodgers slowed his year to a halt, but he was able to provide the team with meaningful innings late in the year and into the postseason.
After just seven regular season appearances in late August and September, Graterol was added to the Dodgers’ World Series roster, pitching in three games against the New York Yankees.
Looking ahead, the biggest question is how will the Dodgers bullpen will be put together without him being available until the second half of the 2025 schedule.
Daniel Hudson retired, and as of now, the Dodgers have a stable of Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips and Ryan Braiser as their leverage options.
Blake Treinen would factor heavily into that as well but he currently is a free agent.
Without Treinen and Graterol, the Dodgers are in some murky waters. Graterol was immensely impactful in 2023, proving how effective he can be with a 1.24 ERA over 65.1 innings pitched.
Graterol has the stuff and pedigree to be among the best relievers in baseball, mainly because of his power arsenal that has limited extra-base hits.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers can manage with a number of different options. Re-signing Treinen would be a sure start to bridging that gap, while also allowing young fireballer Edgardo Henriquez to develop into his own.
Henriquez flashed raw stuff that easily touches triple digits, but his command is a work in progress. Provide him with a full offseason with the intention of having Henriquez break camp with the team, and the Dodgers could work him into a key role.
Of course, the Dodgers could always go out into the free agent market to sign a relief pitcher, as there are many veteran options. Paul Sewald seemingly made his own pitch to join the defending champions, speaking to his willingness to be utilized in a variety roles aside from a closer spot.
Rather than dive into the plethora of names, the Dodgers just have to hold on long enough until Graterol returns. Their most likely route is a reunion with Treinen, and leaning on a committee approach for his innings.
What to expect from Brusdar Graterol in 2025
Even as he’s coming off injury, Graterol is expected to remain effective. Pitching with the pain and discomfort of his shoulder injury speaks more to the quality of his stuff is at its core.
It’s with a fair amount of certainty that the Dodgers will slowly ramp him up, and a repeat look of his 2024 season is the likely outlook.
Even with Graterol not returning until after the 2025 All-Star break, that still would allow for enough time to make an impact.
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