After the Los Angeles Dodgers played their final Cactus League game of the year and prepared to break camp for the exhibition Freeway Series, manager Dave Roberts confirmed Brusdar Graterol and Joe Kelly would not be joining the team.
Not only are the two relief pitchers remaining at Camelback Ranch, they both will open the 2021 regular season on the injured list. It had been a likely outcome over recent weeks as neither Graterol and Kelly advanced to the point of facing batters, much less pitching in a game.
The pair of right-handers essentially were behind from the moment camp opened in February. Roberts declined to provide specifics but noted Graterol was unable to conduct any semblance of a throwing program during the offseason, which set him back once Spring Training began.
“There were just some things that I don’t think are right for me to speak to. Some physical things, nothing orthopedically that set him back a little bit,” Roberts said.
“He got married, there were some other things that just didn’t allow for him to get his proper buildup and preparation for Spring Training.”
Graterol did manage to throw multiple bullpen sessions during camp.
So too did Kelly, who has been saddled by an unspecified injury. This marks a second time in Kelly’s career with the Dodgers that the team has not disclosed what physical ailment he is dealing with.
Kelly is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract. The deal includes a $12 million club option and $4 million buyout for the 2022 season.
The biggest beneficiaries of Graterol and Kelly not being with the Dodgers come Opening Day appear to be two of Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May and David Price. They are under consideration for the final spot in the starting rotation and the two that aren’t selected presumably will be placed in the bullpen.
Gonsolin and May have experience in relief and a swing role, but it would represent a change for Price. Though, it was the veteran left-hander who approached Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman to express his willingness in a potential role change.
Knebel avoids injury
The Dodgers came close to having a second spot in the bullpen open when Corey Knebel was struck by a line-drive comebacker in Friday’s game and immediately removed. “It was a love handle contusion, is what I got from the training staff,” Roberts said the following day.
“As I understand it right now, it was best-case scenario when you’re talking about a line drive off the body.”
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