The Los Angeles Dodgers have lost eight of their last twelve games, and they could certainly use some good news right now. They may have received it. High-leverage right-handed reliever Brusdar Graterol has joined Triple-A Oklahoma City to start a rehab assignment, according to Alex Freedman, broadcaster for the Dodgers’ minor-league affiliate. Although no timeline was given for a big-league return, it will probably be at least a month before Graterol steps on a major league mound.
Dodgers Reliever Brusdar Graterol Begins Rehab Assignment
A Definitive Timeline
It has been a long time since the right-hander has been healthy. Graterol underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder at the end of the 2024 season. He was expected to miss the first half of the next season. In fact, the Dodgers were hoping that he would be available for their 2025 postseason run. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, as his shoulder issues have proven to be unpredictable.
Well this is a pleasant surprise. Brusdar Graterol has joined OKC today to begin a rehab assignment.
He has not appeared in a formal game — Spring Training included — since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series.#Dodgers
— Alex Freedman (@azfreedman) May 2, 2026
Highly Effective When It Matters
Graterol is a hard-throwing pitcher who has gradually moved up manager Dave Roberts trust tree when healthy. His sub-2.00 Earned Run Average in the postseason is essentially noteworthy, given the step up in competition. Graterol’s regular-season numbers in limited time weren’t that bad either, as his ERA was at 2.45. These stats are much better than fellow high-leverage relievers Blake Treinen and Edgardo Henriquez, who haven’t been as effective as they hoped as they have attempted to fill the gap left by closer Edwin Diaz‘s elbow injury.
Graterol will join a trio of Dodgers down at Oklahoma City, all on the verge of a return soon. Both Blake Snell and Brock Stewart are close to rejoining the club. Mookie Betts, barring any more unforeseen setbacks, is close to rehabbing a strain and looks to be recuperating sooner than the four-to six-week timeline predicted. Now, all the Dodgers need to do is fix their ailing bats.
Main Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
