The Los Angeles Dodgers have played shorthanded throughout their road trip due to several players taking turns on the paternity list. The group has included Mookie Betts, Brusdar Graterol, Max Muncy and Evan Phillips.
Betts and Phillips have since returned to action after missing two and four games, respectively. Per MLB roster rules, players on paternity leave are required to be away from the team for at least one day but no more than three.
The Dodgers’ transactions log indicated Phillips had been transferred to the bereavement list during his time away, but in actuality it was family emergency leave. That was due to Phillips’ wife, Elizabeth, giving birth to their son who was born prematurely.
As for Graterol and Muncy, they both missed the entire series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, Graterol and Muncy are expected to return from paternity leaev for the start of the Dodgers’ homestand against the St. Louis Cardinals:
Both Max Muncy and Brusdar Graterol are expected to rejoin the Dodgers from the paternity list on Friday when they start a homestand against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Graterol last pitched on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs, throwing two innings to convert a save at Wrigley Field. He has a 2.53 ERA and 1.03 WHIP to go along with 10 strikeouts in 10.2 innings this season.
Muncy’s return will be a boon to the Dodgers lineup as he is the National League Player of the Week for games played April 17-23. The 32-year-old batted .389 (7-for-18) with five home runs, seven RBI, nine walks, one stolen base and five runs scored across seven games during the span.
Miguel Rojas & Will Smith nearing returns for Dodgers
In addition to potentially getting back Graterol and Muncy this weekend, the Dodgers could also see the returns of Miguel Rojas and Will Smith in the near future.
Smith has missed the last two weeks due to a concussion, but could be activated as early as Saturday. Rojas has been sidelined the past week with a left hamstring strain and will likely go on a rehab assignment before rejoining the Dodgers.
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