The Los Angeles Dodgers will head into October without one of their most electric bullpen arms. Right-hander Brusdar Graterol, who has not pitched this year after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, is not expected to return in time for the postseason.
It’s a significant blow for a Dodgers bullpen that has already endured its share of setbacks. Graterol, when healthy, has been a trusted late-inning option since arriving in Los Angeles in 2020, leaning on his high-velocity sinker to post a 2.69 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 178 games with the Dodgers.
But durability has been the one missing piece of Graterol’s career. The Dodgers hoped a winter procedure to repair the labrum in his throwing shoulder would put those issues behind him. Instead, his rehab stalled at Camelback Ranch, never progressing to a minor league assignment.
Manager Dave Roberts hinted last month that Graterol was unlikely to pitch in 2025, noting the right-hander had yet to resume full throwing. With the calendar now flipped to late September, the Dodgers have moved forward as though their bullpen will be without him. That increases the workload on veterans such as Alex Vesia, Tanner Scott, and Blake Treinen, along with younger arms who have been thrust into higher-leverage spots such as Justin Wrobleski. Depth has long been a Dodgers strength, but losing another proven reliever shortens the margin for error heading into October.
Looking ahead, Graterol remains under team control through the 2026 season due to salary arbitration, giving him at least one more chance to reestablish himself before testing free agency. For the Dodgers, the uncertainty about his health could influence offseason plans, especially whether to add more late-inning help or rely on a healthy Graterol returning to form. He has always had the talent to be recognized as a reliable reliever, and his multiple postseason appearances clearly show him as an outstanding pitcher with some of the best stuff in the league. Still, when it comes to staying on the field, it has been tough not only for him but also for the Dodgers, a team that will definitely need its best veterans during high-pressure moments. The Dodgers will have to move on without his services and find another way to replicate their 2024 success.
When right, the “Bazooka” brings an energy and edge that few relievers can match. For now, though, his focus remains on recovery, and the Dodgers will have to navigate the postseason without him.