Dodgers reliever Brusdar Graterol just can't catch a break—literally. The hard-throwing right-hander, who hasn't stepped on a big-league mound since the 2024 World Series, has hit yet another roadblock in his long and painful comeback trail.
According to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, Graterol has been pulled from his minor league rehab assignment after his back flared up. He's now headed for imaging and tests to determine the severity of the issue. This is a gut punch for both the pitcher and the Dodgers, who were hoping to see him back in the bullpen soon.
The timing couldn't be worse. News of Graterol's setback broke right around the same time Blake Snell was placed on the injured list—adding to what's becoming a frustrating trend for the Dodgers' pitching staff.
Graterol missed the entire 2025 season recovering from shoulder surgery, one of the most challenging injuries for any pitcher to overcome due to the shoulder's complex mechanics. There was a glimmer of hope he might return late in the year, but that never materialized. He entered Spring Training with a clean bill of health, ready to finally get back to work—only to be shut down again due to velocity concerns before he could even make a spring appearance.
Since then, it's been a grind. Graterol spent the early part of the season resting and trying to solve those velocity issues, which eventually led to a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City. In four appearances, he's struggled to find his footing. His first outing was promising—he needed fewer than 10 pitches to get through an inning—but things quickly unraveled. Over 3.1 innings, he's allowed four hits, three runs, and three walks, with just three strikeouts. His ERA sits at a bloated 8.10, and his velocity was noticeably down in his last appearance before the back issue was flagged.
Even before this latest injury, the results suggested Graterol needed more time to regain his form. Now, with his back acting up, he'll almost certainly require an extended break. For a pitcher who once brought triple-digit heat and electric stuff to the Dodgers' bullpen, this journey back has been anything but smooth.