Dodgers Pitcher Recovering From Shoulder Surgery Provides Injury Update

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol revealed he is feeling good after 15 months of rehab from a shoulder injury.

The right-hander is set to start throwing bullpens this week, and revealed he has lost 15 pounds during workouts.

Graterol struggled with his shoulder in 2024, landing on the injured list during spring training due to a shoulder injury. He returned to the team in September, but went straight back to the injured list, spending the majority of the Dodgers’ World Series run on the sidelines. The 27-year-old returned for the World Series, though, and made three appearances.

He underwent surgery shortly after the season, and missed the entirety of the 2025 season with his injury.

How Important is Brusdar Graterol to the Bullpen?

Before his injury struggles, Graterol established himself as a top reliever for the Dodgers, and was coming off of a great season heading into 2024.

He made his debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2019, but moved to the Dodgers ahead of the 2020 season in the trade which sent Kenta Maeda to the American League. He posted. 3.09 ERA with the Dodgers during the shortened 2020 season.

The right-hander struggled the following season, posting a 4.59 ERA through 34 appearances, though bounced back in 2022 with a 3.26 ERA in 46 appearances.

The 2023 season remains Graterol’s best season, as he had a 1.20 ERA through 68 appearances spanning 67.1 innings pitched. He primarily served as closer Evan Phillips’ setup man, and had the most innings pitched among any reliever on the team.

During his brief time with the Dodgers in 2024, he had a 2.45 ERA through 7.1 innings pitched.

Now, with plenty of spots open in the Dodgers’ bullpen, Graterol can put himself right back into the conversation for L.A. They’ve made just one bullpen signing this offseason in All-Star closer Edwin Diaz, and after the late-season collapses from the bullpen in 2025, he is more than capable of securing himself a spot.

He isn’t the only one, though, as plenty of the Dodgers’ current relievers will be vying for a spot on the roster. The Dodgers have a difficult choice ahead of them, and will hope to get the right group as they look towards the first three-peat in franchise history in 2026