Injured Dodgers Reliever Reports ‘No Issues’ With Hamstring After Bullpen Session
The Los Angeles Dodgers could be adding another high-leverage arm to the bullpen soon as he moves past a hamstring strain.
Reliever Brusdar Graterol completed a 30-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday afternoon and reported that his injured hamstring hasn’t caused him any issues for a while. Depending on how he performs in simulated games or minor league rehab games, Graterol could return to the Dodgers’ bullpen in early September.
“I think Brusdar should be going out on assignment soon,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s been sprinting. The bullpens have been good, velocity is good. So I don’t see why we can’t send him out soon and be a real conversation in a week to 10 days.”
Graterol missed the entire first half of the season with a shoulder injury that first set in during spring training. He has experienced multiple setbacks but finally returned on Aug. 6 against the Philadelphia Phillies. Nine pitches later and he had to be helped off the field.
Thankfully, the hamstring strain wasn’t severe and he was able to resume workouts quickly.
“It’s great,” Roberts said. “Considering where it was after his first outing with us and now to have this conversation about early September is great. Brusdar has just been so valuable for us each year in the postseason. So to get him back, a neutral reliever (effective against right- or left-handed hitters), is going to be great.”
Graterol is extremely thankful the injury wasn’t worse.
“I got the news the next day after taking the MRI,” Graterol said. “It took a lot of weight off my mind. Mentally, how draining it was to come back from the first rehab and then to hear the good news it kind of alleviated what I was feeling.”
Graterol had the best season of his career in 2023, when he posted a 1.20 ERA and tied for the team lead in appearances.
Since then, he has been frustrated with all the obstacles that have prevented him from getting back into the Dodgers bullpen long-term.
“Frustrating,” Graterol said. “Frustrating with all the arm injuries, with all the things that have been going on with my arm and trying to control my head through all that process. Trying to come back, shut down, come back. That’s just been mentally draining. It’s been mentally tough. I’ve tried to stay positive, keep my mental stability in a positive direction, keep moving forward even though it’s been really frustrating this season.”
Thursday, Graterol participated in fielding drills. According to AM-570, he will throw a sim game this weekend.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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