Brusdar Graterol to Miss Opening Day After $2.8 Million Deal and Labrum Surgery

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Brusdar Graterol will not be on the active roster for the season opener following a November 2024 surgery for a torn labrum.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Wednesday that reliever Brusdar Graterol will not occupy a spot on the active roster for Opening Day. The 27-year-old right-hander is currently recovering from a surgical procedure to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, an operation performed in November 2024. This medical intervention followed his final competitive appearance of the previous year, which took place during the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees. Because of the invasive nature of the surgery, the organization is implementing a deliberate, slow-paced rehabilitation program for the hard-throwing pitcher.

Brusdar Graterol injury concerns limited his availability throughout the 2024 regular season, where he managed only seven relief appearances. During that brief stretch, he posted a 2.45 ERA across 7⅓ innings of work. His availability was hampered by two distinct physical setbacks: shoulder inflammation and a strained hamstring. Despite these hurdles, he returned in time for the postseason, appearing in three games during the Fall Classic to help the Dodgers secure the championship title. To settle his financial status for the upcoming campaign, the reliever agreed to a $2.8 million contract in January, successfully avoiding the salary arbitration process.

Statistical Impact and Career Performance

Over the course of five seasons in Los Angeles, Graterol has compiled a career record of 11-9 complemented by a 2.78 ERA. While he has recorded 11 saves, his workload has been relatively light, totaling 181 innings since joining the club. His most productive professional window occurred in 2023, a year in which he established several career benchmarks. During that season, he maintained a dominant 1.20 ERA while logging personal bests in both innings pitched (67⅓) and total appearances (68).

The Dodgers originally added the right-hander to their bullpen depth at the start of spring training in 2020. He was the centerpiece of a trade with the Minnesota Twins, a transaction that saw starting pitcher Kenta Maeda move to the American League Central. Since that acquisition, Graterol has been a staple of the Los Angeles relief corps when healthy, though his upcoming free agency following the conclusion of next offseason adds a layer of contractual significance to his current recovery timeline.

Roster Implications for the Dodgers Bullpen

With Dave Roberts officially ruling out the reliever for the start of the schedule, the Dodgers must look toward their internal depth to fill the void in the late innings. The decision to keep him off the active roster ensures he will not be rushed back into high-leverage situations before his shoulder is fully resilient. The hard-throwing righty's absence removes a primary high-velocity option from the bullpen, forcing a redistribution of innings among the remaining relief staff in Glendale.

Graterol's path to the 2025 season follows a year of extreme volatility in terms of health. His 1.20 ERA from 2023 remains his statistical peak, contrasting sharply with the 7⅓ innings he managed during the 2024 regular season. The team’s cautious approach reflects the long-term value of a player who has proven capable of elite run prevention when his shoulder is sound. As a pending free agent, the stakes for a successful return to the mound are high for both the player and the franchise.

Recovery Timeline and Future Outlook

The November 2024 surgery addressed the torn labrum immediately after the conclusion of the World Series victory. By addressing the right shoulder issue shortly after the final out against the Yankees, the medical staff aimed to maximize his recovery window for the following year. However, the complexity of labrum repairs often necessitates the extended ramp-up period Roberts described on Wednesday. There is currently no specific date set for his return to game action beyond the confirmation that he will miss the initial games of the season.

Maintaining a career 2.78 ERA over 181 innings suggests that when Graterol returns, he provides significant stability to the Los Angeles pitching staff. His ability to avoid arbitration with the $2.8 million deal provides cost certainty for the Dodgers as they navigate his stint on the injured list. The focus remains on the long-term health of his right arm, ensuring that the hard-throwing reliever can contribute effectively once he is cleared for full competition later in the year.