The Los Angeles Dodgers have the best record in baseball at the moment, but this season has had its share of obstacles. They can’t keep the injury bug away. The list seems to be growing longer every day. Here is a rundown of the latest updates, and the timelines for return.
Dodgers’ Injury Timeline
No Timeline of Return
Right-handed reliever Brusdar Graterol has not pitched on a major league mound for almost two years. The flame-throwing force of nature had shoulder surgery in the middle of the 2024 season. He was supposed to miss a year, which seems an eternity in itself. However, the calendar of recovery has never been updated. He began a throwing program at the Dodgers facility in Arizona earlier this season. However, that was halted after the right-hander announced via Instagram that he underwent back surgery. The prospect of Gaterol’s return this season is next to nil.
Tyler Glasnow left a start early in Houston against the Astros with back issues. Los Angeles put him on the Injured List, and manager Dave Roberts was confident that the right-hander would only miss the minimum of time. Glasnow has yet to resume throwing on the mound. The All-Star, who was pitching like an ace before his back flared up is “frustrated.” He says that when he tries to progress beyond playing catch. he still feels uncomfortable. The right-hander, who has an impressive 2.72 Earned Run Average with a high strikeout rate per nine innings, probably won’t return to the Dodgers until after the All-Star Break.
A Firm Date?
Will Smith who has been missing for a couple of weeks now may rejoin the club soon. Smith, who has been dealing with a neck issue, could rejoin the Dodgers as soon as the next home stand. The veteran who “slept wrong” was originally day-t0-day until the discomfort persisted. Los Angeles decided to put their catcher on the I.L. to help the pain subside. Smith’s recovery time has been extended as well despite the help of cortisone shot. The hope is that he will be well enough to play at the beginning of the next home stand. Whatever the case, Los Angeles has been bereft without his bat in the lineup lately.
Unlike Tyler Glasnow, left-hander Blake Snell seems to be responding well after having “floating bodies” removed from his elbow less than a month ago. Snell’s shoulder was slow to respond in Spring Training after the long postseason run. He attempted to pitch through it, but was not effective at all, and the stress was too much for his elbow. The Dodgers say he is right on schedule to return in the middle of July.
Left fielder Teoscar Hernandez begins a rehab assignment today at Triple-A Oklahoma City to test out his strained hamstring. If there are no hiccups, the veteran will join Los Angeles in Sacramento when they face the Athletics at the beginning of next week. The Dodgers have missed the delivery of their “butter and egg man.”
The Walking Wounded
The Dodgers will be without two of their regulars tonight in rainy Minnesota. Dalton Rushing took a foul ball off the mast in the first inning yesterday and was eventually removed from the game. He did pass concussion protocol, but was held out of today’s lineup. He is considered day-to-day. It is a similar prognosis for Kyle Tucker, whose back tightness flared up, and he came out of the game. Dave Roberts was initially optimistic that both players would avoid an I.L. stint, but we will have to wait and see in the coming days.
Kyle Tucker said he’s “pretty confident” he will be able to avoid the injured list. Said he’s feeling better than yesterday, but can still feel it a little in his back when he’s trying to rotate. He did not go for imaging.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) June 23, 2026
The Dodgers have had to navigate injuries before, now they have to do it again. The question is, can the Dodgers keep winning?
Main Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea- Imagn Images
