Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Brusdar Graterol spoke out after suffering a back injury during his rehabilitation stint in Oklahoma City.
Graterol has not pitched in the majors since 2024, going through shoulder surgery following the World Series against the New York Yankees.
He is a high-effort, power pitcher who throws very hard and can be lights out when “The Bazooka” is clicking.
However, it has been a while since fans have seen that version of Graterol.
Oct 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol (48) throws to first base for an out in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees during game one of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
In April, Graterol started a rehab stint in Triple-A after being shut down due to his velocity being drastically low in the spring
He looked good in his initial outing, but during his latest appearance, his velocity was down again.
Dodgers insider Fabian Ardaya reported that the team shut down Graterol from his rehab assignment and that he was returning to the team to have imaging done on his back.
On social media, Graterol sent a resilient message.
“Baseball is not easy But it’s no reason to give up. LFG,” he tweeted.
Ever the ball of energy, Graterol looked like he was gearing up for a massive comeback in spring ball. He shared that he had lost a ton of weight and had been working out hard to stay upright for the season.
However, not long after the preseason got underway, he was shut down, only to start throwing later on, looking good enough to earn a rehab assignment.
Sadly, Graterol will need to wait even more time before getting back on the mound.
Should the Dodgers keep Graterol in the fold?
There has been discussion among Dodger fans about whether Graterol is worth keeping on the 40-man roster, given his inactivity.
The Dodgers are known for holding on to high-ceiling arms who may have injury problems, giving them plenty of chances to get upright and start delivering consistently.
Graterol has been dominant in stretches, and while it has indeed been a while since he was healthy, the Dodgers will likely give him chances to recover unless he is diagnosed with a chronic condition.
With so much talent constantly flowing within the Dodgers organization and Graterol entering free agency after this season, the upcoming months will be crucial for his future.
