Dodgers’ Brusdar Graterol Brimming With Optimism Following Latest Injury
Adding salt to the open wound of a series loss against the Phillies, reliever Brusdar Graterol exited Tuesday’s game in a heartbreaking fashion.
The right-hander has spent the entire season in Triple-A working through a shoulder injury. He returned from the IL on Aug. 5 and made his 2024 season debut the next day against the Phillies. Entering in the sixth inning, Graterol threw eight pitches before feeling a pop. He walked off the mound in tears as third baseman Kiké Hernandez and trainer Thomas Albert helped Graterol limp away.
Initially, manager Dave Roberts said Graterol sustained a Grade 3 hamstring strain, which would have ended his season quicker than it began. A Grade 3 strain is the most severe grade, and indicates a muscle tore completely off the bone. The next day, Dodgers Roberts announced Graterol incurred a more mild Grade 1 strain.
The news generated faith that Graterol could possibly return a second time at the end of the season, but there is still no timetable for his recovery.
Graterol posted an optimistic message on X, thanking people for their support. The Calabozo, Venezuela native even included a translated version of the message for his Spanish-speaking fans.
Losing Graterol will be costly for the Dodgers’ bullpen. He is now the fourth reliever Los Angeles has on the injured list, along with Ryan Brasier, Blake Treinen and Connor Brogdon.
When Graterol is healthy, he is a productive part of the bullpen. Last season, he hit a variety of career-highs. His 68 appearances, 1.20 ERA, 48 strikeouts, and four wins are all career-bests that Graterol earned in 2023.
He had not pitched that well since his first season with the Dodgers. After one season, the Minnesota Twins traded Graterol to the Dodgers on Feb. 10, 2020. Eight months later, Graterol won his first World Series with Los Angeles at just 22 years old. He posted a 3.09 ERA with 13 strikeouts and three walks across 23.1 innings.
Regardless of whether Graterol returns again this season, the 25-year-old surely has plenty of games in a Dodgers uniform to look forward to.
Photo Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
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Why are Roberts’ first post-injury pronouncements always wrong? Why can’t he just say “we don’t know how severe the injury is at this time” response when asked about a player’s injury for the first day? Why can’t people above him in the organization teach him to do this?
Because he has a DRRRRRRRRRR , factor. You can’t fix Drrrrrrrr…