The Dodgers are about to get reinforcements in their starting rotation, and now their bullpen could be getting a huge boost as the club enters August.
Dodgers Triple-A broadcaster Alex Freedman on Sunday reported Brusdar Graterol and Michael Grove had both joined Oklahoma City on rehab assignments and are expected to pitch in Sunday's game. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters before the game both players would need five-to-seven rehab outings before they'd be called up to the Majors.
Grove went on the IL in mid-June with a right lat injury. The 27-year-old had a 5.06 ERA in 28 outings for the Dodgers this season. He struggled in the three outings before his injury, allowing four runs across four innings, but in his previous 15 appearances he'd allowed only four runs in 16.1 innings.
Graterol has yet to pitch in the Majors this season while recovering from a shoulder injury. He was sensational in 2023, posting a 1.20 ERA in 68 appearances. The hard-throwing righty will give manager Dave Roberts a reliable late-game option, which LA desperately needs given some of their bullpen's late-inning woes.
Getting Grove and Graterol on track to return to the bullpen helps the Dodgers go all-in on starting pitching at the trade deadline. While they could still pivot to finding bullpen help if the starter market doesn't fall their way, all signs point to the bullpen help coming from within the organization with starter help coming via trade.
