The Los Angeles Dodgers are poised to navigate another challenging season in 2025, with their bullpen heavily impacted by the prolonged absence of Brusdar Graterol. The impactful reliever, who has become a critical piece of the Dodgers’ pitching strategy since joining the team, is expected to be sidelined until the second half of the upcoming season due to right shoulder surgery on his labrum.
This setback comes after a tumultuous 2024 campaign for Graterol, where he was limited to just seven regular-season appearances. Shoulder inflammation and a hamstring injury further hampered his involvement, allowing him to participate in only three postseason outings. Despite these limitations, Graterol managed to leave a mark, appearing in three games during the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees, where the Dodgers clinched their second title in five years. He posted a modest performance, allowing one run on two hits over 2 1/3 innings.
A Critical Piece Missing
Graterol’s journey with the Dodgers began in February 2020, following his acquisition from the Minnesota Twins. Originally part of a proposed trade to the Boston Red Sox for Mookie Betts, concerns about his arm health redirected him to Los Angeles. Since joining the Dodgers, Graterol has been a consistent force in the bullpen, averaging 49 appearances per season with an impressive 2.63 ERA and a 3.37 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
The Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts, has been vocal about the challenges of managing Graterol’s health. "Ever since he's been back, it's been kind of touch and go -- good, then not good," Roberts commented, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Graterol’s recovery trajectory. He added, "What that looks like for the rest of the season? I just don't know. I think it's going to be a week to week situation."
Adjusting to Adversity
Graterol’s absence underscores a recurring theme for the Dodgers in recent seasons: adapting to injuries. The team has had to frequently recalibrate their roster to accommodate the absence of key players. Despite these challenges, their strategic depth and resilience paved the way for their success in 2024. However, the 2025 season promises to test their resolve once more as they aim to defend their championship title.
With Graterol unavailable for a significant portion of the season, the Dodgers will need to explore various options to fill the void in the bullpen. Whether through player development, strategic trades, or adaptive game management, the team's response to this adversity could shape their season’s trajectory.
The Dodgers possess a roster teeming with talent, and while they have risen successfully to similar occasions in the past, Graterol’s absence looms large. His ability to impact games was crucial in prior seasons, so replicating that impact from within the bullpen will be pivotal for maintaining competitive edge.
The Road Ahead
The quest to adjust without Graterol not only tests the Dodgers’ depth but also their ambition to replicate past successes. As one of the sport's most successful franchises in recent years, the Dodgers pride themselves on their adaptability and their knack for overcoming obstacles.
As the 2025 MLB season unfolds, the Dodgers are left with the task of balancing expectations with the operational reality of losing a key bullpen player. The outcome of this challenge will not only reflect their strategic capacity but could also define the narrative of their 2025 campaign, as they aim to once again capture the ultimate prize in professional baseball. In a league where the margin for error is slim and competition fierce, how the Dodgers navigate these muddy waters could leave a lasting imprint on their storied legacy.