The Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen was starting to hit its stride as April turned to May. In two weeks leading to Monday’s game, the unit had a 2.15 earned-run average that was good for third in all of MLB.
The unit took a massive hit with the loss of right-hander Ryan Brasier, who suffered a strained calf muscle during a pre-game workout on Monday. Brasier, 36, had a 4.63 ERA in 12 appearances this season.
Dodgers announce Ryan Brasier’s latest health update and a new roster move ahead of today’s match against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
What are your thoughts on this news? Hoping Brasier has a speedy recovery! pic.twitter.com/xRBVI1cxjs
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) April 30, 2024
“I was doing some sprints. Felt it blow up in my calf,” said Brasier, who had the same injury to his left calf in 2021.
“That was about two months (missed). It was the last day of spring training. I actually did this one (points at left leg) covering first base. Then the last day that I was supposed to be rehabbing, I got hit in the head with a line drive. So that made that turn into like four months.”
The Dodgers’ bullpen has been operating short-staffed, with Brusdar Graterol, Connor Brogdon, and Blake Treinen already on the injured list. Brasier is on the 15-day IL for now, but could be headed to the 60-day IL if the injury takes longer to heal. Right-hander Joe Kelly also suffered a groin injury in Tuesday night’s loss, leaving him unavailable for Wednesday’s game.
Ryan Brasier said he “felt a blow-up” in his right calf while running after stretch yesterday. Was in a walking boot today. Had a similar situation in his other calf back in 2021.
Feeling “not great” right now, underwent an MRI today but still waiting on the results.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) April 30, 2024
Graterol remains on the 60-day IL with shoulder inflammation, while Treinen is on a minor-league injury rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
“The main thing is to get Blake back healthy,” Roberts said. “I think that we’ve been very diligent as far as going through that process of his buildup. He’ll pitch a couple of times this week and then we want to make sure he does a back-to-back. So once he does his back-to-back, then we’ll have a conversation.”
For the time being, the Dodgers will have to depend on Daniel Hudson as the main setup man for Evan Phillips until Treinen has checked off the rest of his rehab boxes.
Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
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