Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Brusdar Graterol is, when healthy, one of the top relievers on MLB’s best team.
He has, however, missed most of the second half with a shoulder injury.
He returned on August 22, pitched four games, and is once again visiting the doctor’s room.
This time, the issue appears to be a bit more serious.
The Dodgers placed him on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.
The Ahletic’s Fabian Ardaya offered an update about the hurler.
“Brusdar Graterol said he’s getting an MRI tomorrow. Didn’t want to speculate on whether he feels he can be back this year until after that. Said he felt some more pain in his elbow today after trying to throw a bullpen session yesterday. Has bothered him since his last outing,” Ardaya tweeted.
Brusdar Graterol said he’s getting an MRI tomorrow. Didn’t want to speculate on whether he feels he can be back this year until after that. Said he felt some more pain in his elbow today after trying to throw a bullpen session yesterday. Has bothered him since his last outing.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 1, 2022
Elbow Pain Is Usually Not Good For A Pitcher
Judging by that description, it’s definitely not looking good.
Phil Bickford will return to the Dodgers’ bullpen to take Graterol’s spot.
Nothing will be definitive until the results of the MRI are published, but it’s definitely not looking good: elbow pain usually means there is some sort of damage in one of the ligaments.
Let’s hope it’s a short absence and he can return later in September, and it’s not a Tommy John situation for the talented bullpen piece.
In 44.2 innings this season, Graterol has a 3.02 ERA with a 0.94 WHIP.
He has 10 walks and 39 strikeouts, and is one of manager Dave Roberts‘ go-to guys for the late innings when he wants to protect a lead.
It has been a rough season for Graterol from a health standpoint, but the hope is that he can avoid a serious injury.
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