The Dodgers have halted right-hander Brusdar Graterol’s throwing program in the intervening time, supervisor Dave Roberts introduced to the group’s beat final night time (X link through Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic). Whereas there’s no new damage or setback of be aware, Graterol continues to be feeling discomfort in his arm when throwing and isn’t bouncing again in addition to the group had hoped.
Graterol, one of many Dodgers’ high setup choices, has been out all season after experiencing shoulder ache throughout spring coaching and being identified with irritation. He’d already been moved to the 60-day IL early within the season, however for the reason that Dodgers opened the season early with their Seoul Collection towards the Padres, he was nonetheless ticketed him for a possible mid-Could return. That now not appears possible. Roberts didn’t provide an actual timeline however indicated it’d be a “lengthy program” to get Graterol again on an enormous league mound.
It’s unwelcome information for a Dodger bullpen that ranks nineteenth within the majors in ERA (4.07), twenty sixth in FIP (4.52) and sixteenth in SIERA (3.81). Graterol was a serious a part of the bullpen final season, firing 67 1/3 innings with a pristine 1.20 ERA. The 25-year-old flamethrower picked up 19 holds and 7 saves alongside the best way. He fanned simply 18.7% of his opponents but additionally delivered an excellent 4.7% stroll price and superlative 64.4% ground-ball price. In 4 seasons for the reason that Dodgers acquired him from the Twins in alternate for Kenta Maeda, he’s pitched 173 2/3 innings with a 2.69 earned run common.
The Dodgers have a handful of relievers who’re throwing effectively however the remainder of the bullpen has struggled extensively. Nearer Evan Phillips (0.93 ERA, six saves), setup man Daniel Hudson (2.45 ERA, 5 holds) and lengthy man Ryan Yarbrough (3.52 ERA, 23 innings) have all had robust begins to their season. Lefty Alex Vesia has allowed solely three earned runs in 12 1/3 innings (2.19 ERA), however he’ll be hard-pressed to maintain that tempo based mostly on his dismal 19.6% stroll price so far. Righties Joe Kelly, Ryan Brasier and Michael Grove are the one different L.A. relievers with even 9 innings pitched this season; all three have ERAs of 5.59 or worse.
The Dodgers have already used 15 totally different relievers on the younger season. No group in baseball has used extra, though each the Mets and Astros are additionally at 15 apiece. The continuity and stability afforded by a wholesome Graterol can be a boon to Roberts’ reduction corps, however it appears that evidently’s a methods off from being a sensible chance. The Dodgers are likely to discover the commerce marketplace for bullpen assist nearly each summer season — as do most contenders — and if Graterol finally ends up going through an particularly prolonged absence, that’ll solely add to their urgency.
