Brusdar Graterol Injury Update: Dodgers pitcher to be activated off the IL within two days

Brusdar Graterol is on the verge of returning to a major league mound after landing on the IL with a Grade I hamstring strain last month. On Saturday, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced that the 26-year-old reliever will be available in their bullpen within the next two days. Graterol completed his final rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City this past Friday.

A six-year veteran of the big leagues, Graterol made his MLB debut in 2019 with the Minnesota Twins. He was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers the following year, where he gradually established himself as one of the top relief pitchers in the team.

Graterol enjoyed his best year in 2023, but he started the current campaign on the 60-day IL due to right shoulder inflammation. He made his first appearance of the season against the Philadelphia Phillies on August 6 but did not even last one inning. The Dodgers reliever threw just eight pitches before he was carried off the mound with a hamstring strain, which kept him out of action for the past month.

Although Brusdar Graterol was initially expected to be ruled out for the 2024 season, he has progressed well with his recovery to be available for the Dodgers ahead of the postseason. Having completed a rehab assignment with their Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City, Graterol could return to a big league mound in the three-game home series against the Chicago Cubs that starts on Monday night.

Dodgers bullpen to get a big boost with the return of Brusdar Graterol

Brusdar Graterol started the 2024 season on the IL (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

The Los Angeles Dodgers have had persistent issues with their starting rotation throughout this season, but the relief pitchers have been thoroughly relieable so far. Being able to add another high-leverage reliever such as Brusdar Graterol to the bullpen in September can make a huge difference in the playoffs.

Graterol was the standout pitcher out of the bullpen for the Dodgers last year when the right-hander set career highs on a wide range of pitching stats. He ended the 2023 season on a 4-2 record from 67.1 innings with a miniscule 1.20 ERA and .965 WHIP, while giving up just three home runs.

As a result, the annual salary of Graterol has more than doubled over the year to $2.7 million for the 2024 season. He will be heading into arbitration for a third straight year before he becomes eligible for free agency at the end of the 2025 campaign.