Brusdar Graterol is one of the most intriguing pitchers in baseball. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ relief ace boasts impressive velocity, often reaching nearly triple digits with surprisingly short arm action. However, this delivery style can make him prone to shoulder injuries and other health issues.
Graterol Out with Shoulder Injury
According to B/R Walk-Off, the Dodgers right-hander will miss at least the first half of the 2025 season after undergoing shoulder surgery to repair his pitching shoulder. The procedure, which was performed by renowned surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, was reportedly successful.
The exact timeline for Graterol’s return is unclear and will depend on his recovery, but the expectation is that he won’t be back before the All-Star break.
Dodgers Will Need to Get Creative Without Graterol
Graterol made his 2024 season debut in August after dealing with shoulder inflammation for months. He then suffered a significant hamstring strain, limiting him to just seven regular season appearances, during which he posted a 2.46 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP.
In the postseason, Graterol pitched 2.1 innings, allowing one earned run on two hits, four walks, and striking out one in the World Series.
When healthy, Graterol is one of the top right-handed relievers in both the Dodgers’ bullpen and the National League. His absence for the first half of 2025 will certainly be a blow, but as is often the case with the Dodgers, the priority will be ensuring he’s fully recovered and ready to contribute come playoff time.
The Dodgers’ deep and talented organization is known for finding solutions through smart roster management and excellent player development, so they will likely have no trouble filling the gap during the regular season. However, they will need Graterol’s high upside when it matters most in October.