Graterol allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-1 win over Atlanta.
Graterol allowed multiple baserunners for the third time in his last six outings, but he was able to extend his scoreless streak to 16.1 innings. Both Graterol and Evan Phillips pitched Saturday, so this appears to be a managerial choice from Dave Roberts to give Graterol the ninth inning in this contest. The right-hander has a 1.38 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 43:11 K:BB with seven saves and 17 holds through 58.2 innings this year while operating as part of the Dodgers' successful high-leverage mix.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Secures 17th hold
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Graterol earned a hold over the Red Sox on Friday, allowing two hits and striking out two batters over 1.2 scoreless innings.
Graterol has picked up two saves since Aug. 10, but he remains a secondary closing option for Los Angeles behind Evan Phillips. Graterol has emerged as a shutdown high-leverage weapon for manager Dave Roberts, racking up 12 straight scoreless appearances and yielding just one run over 25.2 innings since June 21. The fireballing right-hander has just 17 strikeouts during that span, but he's posted a 0.90 WHIP and notched two wins, three saves and 10 holds. Phillips has also been solid and is in no danger of losing his closing job, so Graterol's fantasy value is mostly limited to leagues that count holds, though he could pick up a few more saves down the stretch.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Nabs sixth save
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Graterol allowed two hits in a scoreless inning to earn the save in a 3-1 win over the Marlins in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.
Evan Phillips was called on for a save in the matinee, allowing Graterol a chance to close out the nightcap. This was Graterol's 10th straight scoreless outing, and he's allowed just one run across 19 innings dating back to June 27. The right-hander also has two saves in his last four appearances after going six weeks between save chances. For the season, Graterol has six saves, 16 holds, a 1.53 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 38:9 K:BB through 53 innings as a strong late-inning presence, though Phillips is still the favorite to close for the Dodgers.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Grabs save Thursday
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Graterol earned a save against the Rockies on Thursday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.
Evan Phillips has emerged as the Dodgers' primary closer this season, but he wasn't deployed Thursday after pitching each of the previous two days. Manager Dave Roberts instead turned to Graterol to close things out with Los Angeles clinging to a one-run ninth-inning lead, and the right-hander did so with ease, retiring the side in order on 13 pitches. Graterol has been outstanding as mostly a setup man this season, posting a 1.62 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 37:9 K:BB over 50 frames while collecting 14 holds and five saves.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Pitches on consecutive days
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Graterol earned a hold against the Angels on Friday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in a scoreless inning.
Early in the week, Graterol was nursing an arm issue that kept him out a few days and reportedly resulted in the Dodgers considering placing him on the injured list. However, the righty reliever returned to action with a hold in a scoreless frame Thursday and did the same Friday, so it's now clear that the injury was minor. Graterol has been a key part of Los Angeles' bullpen this year, notching 10 holds and four saves while compiling a 1.85 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB over 39.0 innings.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Avoids injured list
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Graterol will avoid the injured list after suffering from an arm issue earlier in the week, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Graterol has been unavailable for the last few days and there was some fear he'd be forced to the injured list. However, he threw prior to Thursday's game against the Pirates and was cleared for game action. With Daniel Hudson (knee) out for the long term, Graterol could be in line for a share of the Dodgers' saves along with Evan Phillips.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Picks up fourth save
Rotowire
Graterol picked up the save Friday against Houston. He tossed a perfect inning with no strikeouts.
Graterol continues his career year, as his 2.18 ERA will be his best mark by far if he can end the season around that number. The right-hander's four saves are already tied for the most he's had in a season as well. The veteran is also red-hot as of late, as he's coughed up earned runs in just two of his last 19 appearances.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Tosses two scoreless innings
Rotowire
Graterol walked one and struck out three over two scoreless and hitless innings as the opener in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Angels. He did not factor in the decision.
Michael Grove was initially expected to serve as a bulk reliever, but the Dodgers changed plans on the fly to make this a full-blown bullpen game. Graterol's role as the opener this time kept him out of the running for the win, but he was strong while matching his longest outing of the season. The right-hander had given up seven runs (three earned) over his previous 7.1 innings. For the season, he has a 2.25 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 27:4 K:BB through 32 innings while frequently filling a late-inning role.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Serving as opener Wednesday
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Graterol will serve as the Dodgers' opener Wednesday versus the Angels, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Michael Grove was expected to get the start, but he'll instead operate in bulk relief. This will be the first opener assignment of the year for Graterol, who has pitched to an excellent 2.40 ERA and 24:3 K:BB in 30 innings (32 appearances) out of the Dodgers' bullpen.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Records four-out save
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Graterol allowed one hit while throwing 1.1 scoreless innings Monday. He struck out one batter and picked up a save over Atlanta.
Graterol allowed an inherited runner to score in the eighth inning but retired the next four batters he faced to close out the 8-6 win. It was his first save since April 29, and he's up to three on the year with a 2-1 record and five holds. Graterol lowered his ERA to 2.29 with his sixth straight scoreless appearance. Evan Phillips pitched a scoreless frame and earned a win Monday.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Grabs first win
Rotowire
Graterol (1-1) blew the save but picked up the win in Wednesday's 10-6 victory over Philadelphia. He allowed a run on two hits and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.
Graterol entered with one out in the ninth and coaxed a ground out from Trea Turner. However, he'd surrender two hits and a walk with two outs, allowing the Phillies to tie the game 6-6. After striking out Alec Bohm to end the inning, Graterol would pick up the win after Max Muncy's walkoff grand slam in the bottom of the frame. Wednesday's outing snapped a stretch of 8.1 consecutive scoreless innings for Graterol. He has a 2.77 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 11:2 K:BB and two saves through 13 innings this season.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Picks up second save of season
Rotowire
Graterol picked up a save in Saturday's 1-0 victory over St. Louis. He allowed one hit over one scoreless inning and did not walk a batter.
Graterol has not allowed a run over his last seven appearances. The right-hander appears to be sharing closer duties with Evan Phillips this year. The former Twin has been a dependable option this season, posting a 1.00 WHIP with no blown saves.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Comes off paternity list
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Graterol was activated from the paternity list by the Dodgers on Friday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
Graterol rejoins the Dodgers after being away from the team since Tuesday. Justin Bruihl was sent back to Triple-A Oklahoma City with Graterol available again in the bullpen.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Likely set for paternity leave
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The Dodgers are expected to place Graterol on the paternity list prior to Tuesday's series opener in Pittsburgh, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Graterol is one of two Dodgers players who is expected to skip the three-game series in Pittsburgh while awaiting the birth of a child, as Max Muncy (personal) has already been confirmed to be placed on the paternity list. The Dodgers haven't yet announced a replacement on the 26-man active roster for Graterol, but Los Angeles could activate Evan Phillips -- who was placed on the paternity list last Thursday -- in a corresponding move. Phillips should then have a clear path to closing duties throughout the series in Pittsburgh.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Nabs first save of campaign
Rotowire
Graterol earned a save against the Cubs on Sunday, allowing three hits and no walks over two scoreless innings.
Graterol got the call in the eighth inning with Los Angeles up by two runs. He gave up a two-out double but completed the scoreless frame on just 12 pitches. The Dodgers put up a pair of runs in the top of the ninth, and Graterol was allowed to finish off the win despite allowing two singles in the bottom of the frame. The save was his first of the season, and the outing extended his streak of appearances without allowing a run to six. Evan Phillips, who has two saves this season, wasn't with the team Sunday while on paternity leave, so it's not certain how manager Dave Roberts would have deployed the pair of relivers under normal circumstances. However, the team hasn't yet indicated a commitment to a full-time closer, so both Phillips and Graterol should be seen as candidates for ninth-inning duties for the time being.
Graterol struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning against the Mets on Tuesday.
The Dodgers held a 5-0 lead when Graterol entered the contest, so he didn't get credited with a save. However, the news here is that manager Dave Roberts went to Evan Phillips -- who has appeared to be the team's closer of choice this season -- to face the bottom of New York's order in the eighth frame with Los Angeles up just three runs. Graterol appeared lined up to get his first save chance of the campaign, but the Dodgers scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth to eliminate the opportunity. Still, the bullpen usage Tuesday was a reminder that the team hasn't committed to any one closer. While Phillips remains the favorite for save chances, Graterol may pick up multiple opportunities along the way as well.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Available Friday vs. Arizona
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Graterol (back) is available Friday against the Diamondbacks, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Graterol was not available for Thursday's contest due to tightness in his back. The hard-throwing right-hander could be asked to close if necessary with Evan Phillips (usage) not available Friday night.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Held out due to tight back
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Graterol wasn't available for Thursday's game against Arizona due to back tightness, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed after the team's 5-2 win that he didn't use Graterol in the contest because the reliever's back tightened up in the middle of the game. Evan Phillips ended up nabbing his second save of the campaign, and he may be emerging as the team's first choice in closing situations. It's unclear if Graterol's back issue will cause him to miss additional time.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: Pitches in ninth inning Sunday
Rotowire
Graterol (0-1) took the loss in Sunday's 2-1 loss to Arizona. He allowed one run on four hits over one inning.
Graterol entered Sunday's matchup in the ninth inning during a tie game, and although he gave up a run to take the loss, it was encouraging to see him take the mound in the ninth while Evan Phillips was used in the eighth frame. The Dodgers haven't named a set closer to begin the year, but Graterol's work in the ninth inning suggests that he could be first in line for save opportunities. The right-hander made 46 appearances for the Dodgers last year, converting four of his five save chances while picking up 10 holds with a 3.26 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 49.2 innings.
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Dodgers' Brusdar Graterol: May be leading closer candidate
Rotowire
The Dodgers don't plan on having a set closer to begin the season, but if they do eventually decide to designate one, Graterol and Daniel Hudson (knee) are the leading candidates, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.
The Dodgers have given no indication that they'll designate a primary fireman at any point this season, so they could very well go with a committee approach for the entire campaign. However, if that changes, Graterol figures to be atop the list of potential closers given his ability to throw hard and his success last season. The fireballer posted a 3.26 ERA, 0.99 ERA and 43:10 K:BB over 49.2 innings while picking up 10 holds and four saves, though he also endured two stints on the injured list. With that said, fantasy managers hunting saves may be best served to avoid Los Angeles relievers altogether given the real possibility that closing chances may be split between multiple pitchers throughout the campaign.
