In a blow to the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, right-handed reliever Brusdar Graterol will be sidelined for the first half of the 2025 season after undergoing surgery to repair the labrum in his throwing shoulder. The procedure, performed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, leaves a significant void in the Dodgers’ bullpen as they look to defend their title.
Graterol’s Injury-Plagued 2024 Campaign
The 26-year-old flamethrower, known for his triple-digit fastball, battled shoulder inflammation and a hamstring injury throughout the 2024 season. Despite the setbacks, Graterol made seven regular season appearances and pitched in three World Series games against the New York Yankees, allowing just three hits over 2 1/3 scoreless innings.
A source close to the team revealed that Graterol had been pitching through discomfort for much of the postseason run. “Brusdar’s a competitor, and he wasn’t about to let an injury keep him from contributing to a championship. But it was clear he wasn’t 100%, and now he’s paying the price.”
Road to Recovery
With Graterol out until at least the All-Star break, the Dodgers will lean on their pitching depth to fill the void. Hard-throwing righty Evan Phillips, who emerged as a reliable setup man last season, is expected to take on an expanded role. The team may also explore free agency or trades to bolster the bullpen.
“Losing Brusdar is tough, but we have confidence in the guys we have to step up. We’ll evaluate all our options to ensure we have a strong bullpen for another championship run.”
– A Dodgers front office executive
Promising Young Arm
Graterol, a native of Venezuela, made his MLB debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2019 before being traded to the Dodgers ahead of the 2020 season. In his five-year career, he has posted a 2.78 ERA and notched 11 saves across 188 appearances, establishing himself as a key cog in one of baseball’s most formidable bullpens.
- 2.78 career ERA in 188 appearances
- 11 saves
- Fastball regularly clocked over 100 mph
Uncertain Future
While the Dodgers remain optimistic about Graterol’s recovery, shoulder injuries can be notoriously difficult for pitchers to bounce back from. The team’s medical staff will closely monitor his rehabilitation, with the hope that he can return to form and provide a boost down the stretch in 2025.
For Graterol, the focus now shifts to the arduous rehab process as he works to not only regain his health but also his elite velocity and command. If he can recapture the form that made him a postseason hero in 2024, the Dodgers’ bullpen could once again be a force to be reckoned with as they chase another World Series title.
As the Dodgers navigate the first half of the season without their flame-throwing setup man, fans will eagerly await updates on Graterol’s recovery, hoping to see him toeing the rubber at Chavez Ravine before the leaves turn in 2025. Until then, the team will rely on their depth, talent, and championship pedigree to weather the storm and remain atop the MLB hierarchy.
