Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol underwent surgery on his back, he announced on his Instagram story.
Grarterol, 27, exited his rehab assignment midway through May, citing back pain as the cause. General manager Brandon Gomes stated surgery was a possibility at the time. Per the California Post’s Jack Harris, Graterol will have to undergo a months-long recovery process and his chances of returning to the Dodgers this season are “in jeopardy.”
The right-hander hasn’t featured in MLB since the 2024 postseason, having missed all of last season and this season so far while recovering and rehabbing from surgery which repaired his torn labrum.
Graterol made four appearances during his rehab assignment before his back injury, and pitched to the tune of an 8.10 ERA. He allowed three runs in 3.1 innings pitched, though held opponents scoreless in half of his outings.
He logged three strikeouts across his four appearances, and recorded two holds.
Has Brusdar Graterol Been Good for the Dodgers?
While Graterol’s lengthy stint on the injured list is something of a stain on his Dodgers legacy, fans are well aware of what “The Bazooka” can do when he’s healthy.
Graterol joined the Dodgers for the 2020 season after playing 10 games with the Minnesota Twins in 2019, and immediately made his mark on the bullpen during the shortened season. He posted a 3.09 ERA through 23 games that year, allowing eight earned runs through 23.1 innings pitched.
He had his worst year as a Dodger in the subsequent year, posting a 4.59 ERA, but managed to find his way into 11 more games than the year prior.
The right-hander played in 46 games in 2022, posting a 3.26 ERA and recording his first MLB save, then had the best season of his career inn 2021. Through a career-high 68 games played, Graterol maintained a 1.20 ERA through 67.1 innings pitched. He led the team in both appearances and innings pitched that year.
That didn’t come without its consequences, though, as Graterol struggled heavily with injury the following season. He made just seven appearances in 2024, allowing two earned runs through 7.1 innings pitched.
The Dodgers will hope Graterol can recover well, as he is among the best relief pitchers in the game when he’s fully healthy.
Would a healthy Brusdar Graterol walk into the Dodgers’ bullpen at the moment?