Los Angeles Dodgers injuries have continued to mount throughout the season, with Brusdar Graterol the latest to be dealing with an issue.
Graterol pitched a scoreless inning in the series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates but has been unavailable since. “It’s his arm,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after a 6-4 comeback win on Wednesday. “His arm isn’t feeling good.
“Where we’re at, we’re going to see if he can pitch [Thursday]. If not, we’re going to have to make a decision.”
The first indication Graterol was not an option out of the bullpen surfaced after the Dodgers’ loss on the Fourth of July, when Roberts referred to having Evan Phillips a third consecutive day because, “We didn’t have anyone else.”
Roberts had already ruled out Ryan Brasier and Daniel Hudson from pitching, but Graterol was not among the relievers used in the loss before Phillips was called on. Roberts initially wanted to avoid using Phillips, but was assured by the right-hander he could pitch.
Then in the third game of the Pirates series, the Dodgers utilized Phil Bickford and Brasier as their right-handed options before Hudson was tasked with converting his first save since June 2022.
If Graterol winds up on the 15-day injured list, the Dodgers would have the option to backdate the stint to July 4, and he would be eligible to be activated during their first series after the All-Star break.
The 24-year-old is 2-2 with four saves in five opportunities, to go along with a 1.95 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 38 games (one start) this season.
Brusdar Graterol injuries
Graterol twice went on the 15-day IL last season, first in July because of right shoulder inflammation, and again in September due to right elbow inflammation.
He additionally missed time in 2021 with right forearm tightness.
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