Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Brusdar Graterol began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday. The 27-year-old right-hander, sidelined by shoulder surgery, has not pitched in an affiliated game since the 2024 World Series. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism about his methodical buildup.
ST. LOUIS -- Righty reliever Brusdar Graterol's long road back to the Dodgers is nearing an end. Graterol began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday. When the 27-year-old right-hander makes it into his first game, it will mark the first time he's pitched in an affiliated game since Oct. 30, 2024 -- Game 5 of the World Series vs. the Yankees, when the Dodgers clinched the first of their eventual back-to-back championships. Graterol is lined up to return to L.A. in early June and is likely to spend close to the maximum 30 days on the assignment as he builds his arm back up. He is set to become a free agent after this season. Graterol underwent right shoulder labrum surgery in November 2024 and was placed on the 15-day injured list to begin the season after velocity issues in early bullpen sessions. Since the beginning of 2024, shoulder and hamstring injuries have limited him to just 10 appearances (seven in the regular season and three in the postseason). He has a 2.69 ERA in 178 appearances across five seasons as a Dodger. “It seems like the last few years, it's been like a rehab situation,” manager Dave Roberts said. “So for him to kind of get out of that mode and get to being a regular player competing, and get the health behind him, we're all looking forward to that.” “He hasn't pitched a whole lot in the last two years, three years,” Roberts added. “So his buildup needs to be methodical.” Graterol is one of several right-handed leverage reinforcements the Dodgers are expecting this year, including Brock Stewart, who is on track to be activated in the next week or two.