The Los Angeles Dodgers signing one of their current free agents, Brusdar Graterol, seems likely given how the team tends to operate.
Graterol’s concerning injury record
Graterol has not pitched since the 2024 season, when he appeared in the World Series.
After the 2024 season, Graterol underwent offseason shoulder surgery that kept him out for the entire 2025 season.
Hopes were high for Graterol entering 2026, a full year removed from surgery, but he didn’t pitch in spring training, and his return was delayed further.
He finally started a rehab assignment in May, pitching four games, but the righty allowed four hits, three runs, three walks, and a home run.
Graterol was shut down with a back injury and underwent surgery at the end of May, costing him another full season of major league action.
Now, Graterol is facing an uncertain future as a free agent. However, things may work out for him.
Why Graterol may return with the Dodgers
The Dodgers understand Graterol’s injury and surgery, which gives them an edge in assessing his health. As with Evan Phillips last offseason, Graterol’s injury history may make the market hesitant.
The Dodgers, however, can offer him a low-cost deal, give him a year to rehabilitate and get healthy, and possibly let him appear in some games before either re-entering the market or re-upping with the team.
Graterol has cut his teeth with the Dodgers, throwing a triple-digit heater and posting a 2.69 ERA in LA.
The team has seen firsthand how elite he can be, and at just 28, there’s plenty of reason to stay optimistic he can figure things out, if health permits.
A reunion may make sense for both sides, but if the Dodgers aren’t interested in him, serious doubts about his health will follow.
The Dodgers bullpen is in a good spot overall, and the organization has enough depth to give Graterol time on the injured list before ramping him up.
One Response
Please no. He’s a very good pitcher but, isn’t worth the money he gets because he’s always hurt. He may possibly make more money per pitch than Yamamoto makes.