Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Brusdar Graterol, who dealt with nagging shoulder trouble all season, underwent right labrum surgery on Thursday, the club announced.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed the procedure, which is expected to keep Graterol out for at least the first half of the 2025 season and opens up questions about how the Dodgers will fill out the rest of their bullpen this winter.
The Dodgers survived largely without Graterol throughout the 2024 season, with hamstring and shoulder injuries limiting the hard-throwing right-hander to just seven regular-season appearances and keeping him off the postseason roster until the World Series, where Graterol appeared three times in Los Angeles’ title run against the New York Yankees. With the Dodgers close to running out of arms, Graterol’s return to pitch through injury proved vital.
Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Brusdar Graterol had right shoulder labrum surgery on Nov. 14 performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. He’s expected to return to the mound in the second half of the 2025 regular season.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 15, 2024
“This year 2024 was quite frustrating for me,” Graterol posted in Spanish on X on Friday. “Dealing with that pain was not easy, and I made the best decision to have surgery.”
Graterol has emerged as a critical late-inning over his five seasons with the Dodgers with a knack for performing at his best in October. Through 190 2/3 career big-league outings, the 26-year-old has a 2.78 ERA. But between his injury and the potential absences this winter, his loss for half a season could carry a bigger weight. Joe Kelly, who did not pitch this October due to his own shoulder issue, is a free agent. Elsewhere, Daniel Hudson retired.
Blake Treinen, who emerged as Los Angeles’ most important relief pitcher this October, is amongst the most intriguing arms available on the open market. Now, a reunion with him may be even more important for a group that still does return the likes of Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips and Alex Vesia, among others.
(Photo of Graterol: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)
