Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman hasn’t precisely slammed the door shut on right-hander Brusdar Graterol returning to the mound this season, however he stated on Saturday that it’s unlikely Graterol might be again in 2025.
“It hasn’t gone as easily as he would love, as we wish, and it’s been arduous to ramp up the amount that he would want to get again,” Friedman instructed reporters forward of Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the San Francisco Giants.
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Though the prospect of Graterol making a return was unlikely, his expertise would have actually be welcomed given the present state of the bullpen.
Final season, Graterol had a mean fastball velocity of 98.1 mph, placing him within the 98th percentile throughout MLB. He tossed a 2.45 ERA throughout simply seven appearances resulting from a shoulder damage that sidelined him for a lot of the yr.
The best-hander from Venezuela additionally made three appearances final postseason, all of which occurred to be within the World Sequence. He allowed only one earned run throughout three appearances on the way in which to the Dodgers’ eighth title in franchise historical past.
Graterol, 27, elevated to a different degree throughout the 2023 season, hurling a microscopic 1.20 ERA throughout 68 appearances. His 48 strikeouts to only 12 walks on the yr earned him an ERA+ of 359, a mark that was virtually an absurd 259 p.c greater than league common that yr.
Because the Dodgers bullpen continues to get dangerous information this season, the Graterol replace shouldn’t precisely be soul-crushing to followers – particularly with the uncertainty surrounding a return all season — however the relievers might have undoubtedly used a lift forward of October.
Whereas Graterol gained’t be the savior, the Dodgers are nonetheless hoping to get some assist by way of the returns of right-handers Kyle Harm, Brock Stewart and doubtlessly even Roki Sasaki, who’s pitching in reduction at Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis.
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Picture Credit score: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports activities
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