Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol to Miss Opening Day After Shoulder Surgery

Hard-throwing reliever will have a slower progression as he ramps up in spring training.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brusdar Graterol is expected to miss the start of the 2026 MLB season as he continues recovering from shoulder surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2025 season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Graterol has struggled to regain his velocity in early spring training workouts, leading the team to take a cautious approach with his return to the mound.

Why it matters

Graterol has been a key part of the Dodgers' bullpen in recent seasons, providing a hard-throwing relief option. His absence at the start of the year will create opportunities for younger right-handed relievers to potentially earn more prominent roles in the Dodgers' pitching staff.

The details

Graterol, who has a 2.78 career ERA, underwent shoulder surgery after missing the entire 2025 season. While he came into spring training hoping to be ready for Opening Day, Roberts said the right-hander will be on a slower progression as he ramps up his throwing in the coming weeks. Other Dodgers relievers, including Brock Stewart and Evan Phillips, are also expected to be sidelined at the start of the season due to injuries.

  • Graterol missed the entire 2025 MLB season due to the shoulder surgery.
  • Graterol came into 2026 spring training hoping to be ready for Opening Day.
  • Roberts said Graterol will be on a slower progression as he ramps up his throwing in the coming weeks.

The players

Brusdar Graterol

A hard-throwing right-handed reliever for the Los Angeles Dodgers who missed the entire 2025 season due to shoulder surgery.

Dave Roberts

The manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Brock Stewart

A Dodgers right-handed reliever who is still working his way back from a shoulder surgery he underwent in September.

Evan Phillips

A Dodgers right-handed reliever who is not expected back until midseason as he completes his recovery from last year's Tommy John surgery.

Will Klein

A young right-handed reliever for the Dodgers who is trying to earn a more permanent role in the team's big-league bullpen.

Edgardo Henriquez

A young right-handed reliever for the Dodgers who is trying to earn a more permanent role in the team's big-league bullpen.

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What they’re saying

“With Brusdar, he's shown that we can count on him when he's needed in the biggest of spots. We just got to get him back up to that velocity. It's an intentionally slow build-up.”

— Dave Roberts, Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers (nypost.com)

What’s next

The Dodgers will continue to monitor Graterol's progress in spring training as he works to regain his velocity and be ready to contribute out of the bullpen later in the season.

The takeaway

Graterol's injury absence creates opportunities for younger Dodgers relievers to potentially earn more prominent roles in the team's bullpen to start the 2026 season, though the Dodgers will be cautious in bringing back their hard-throwing right-hander as he recovers from shoulder surgery.