Brusdar Graterol Injury Update: Dodgers’ Dave Roberts fears “long road back” for star reliever after suffering grade 3 hamstring strain

LA Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shared devastating news on Brusdar Graterol's condition after the player's early exit from Tuesday's game. The pitcher made his long-awaited season debut for the Dodgers during their 6-2 defeat against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Graterol felt a pop in the back of his right leg as he fired his eighth pitch. Shortly after that, he was left in tears and was carried off the pitch by his teammates.

"It's heartbreaking. Brusdar has been so good for us ... From what I understand, it's a grade 3 hamstring. That's a long road back, I feel terrible for him," Roberts said in the post game interview.

Graterol was on the IL for four months with shoulder inflammation before his debut on Tuesday. This new hamstring injury doesn't look good; he is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season.

Dodgers' October plans are in danger with Brusdar Graterol's injury

This season, the Dodgers have endured numerous blows as a result of pitching injuries. They are missing Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, and others. Clayton Kershaw has returned from injury but has yet to reach his peak performance. The team was thus heavily banking on Graterol's return.

The 25-year-old Venezuelan flame thrower is one of the players whom Dave Roberts wants as a part of his bullpen during the postseason in October. Last season, Graterol had a sensational performance with a 1.20 ERA in 68 appearances.

However, with this new hamstring injury, Roberts' plans would be in danger. The player is expected to be out for the rest of the regular season and even if he makes a comeback during the postseason, it's doubtful that the team would give him a pivotal role, as he has yet to pitch a full inning this season.

In his short-lived debut of just eight pitches, Graterol allowed one hit and one walk and conceded two earned runs.