Amidst the wave of injuries engulfing the Los Angeles Dodgers’ locker room, one of the names causing the most concern among fans is Brusdar Graterol – the “bazooka” once considered a devastating weapon in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen.

And this time, the news is no longer hopeful.

According to the latest update, Graterol has suffered another back problem during his rehab at Oklahoma City, forcing the team to temporarily halt his entire comeback program and send him for medical imaging. This is a serious setback in his journey back to MLB after shoulder surgery at the end of 2024.

In that moment, Graterol’s silence has lasted longer than ever.

After news of his injury spread, Graterol finally spoke out. Not with anger. Not with pessimism. But with a heavy acknowledgment of the journey he was on.

“I’ve fought so long to get back. But sometimes the body doesn’t match the will,” he reportedly shared in a message to the team.

While not an official statement to the media, internal sources confirmed this was the Venezuelan pitcher’s direct reaction after receiving initial test results.

At 27, Graterol was once considered one of MLB’s most dangerous relievers with his incredibly heavy pitching ability and top-tier groundball rate. But a series of injuries has turned his career into a constant interruption.

Graterol is no stranger to adversity.

He previously suffered a serious shoulder injury, missing the entire 2025 season after labrum surgery.

Upon his return in early 2026, he continued to experience a slow-play during his recovery due to a noticeable decrease in his shooting speed.

And even as he began his rehab, problems arose.

According to reports from within the Dodgers, Graterol’s velocity had dropped by more than 3 mph below average, forcing the team to temporarily halt his return plans to avoid long-term risks.

The most worrying aspect wasn’t just the injury – it was the continuous setbacks, which effectively reset his recovery efforts multiple times.

Graterol was once known as “The Bazooka” – a symbol of his powerful, hammer-like sinker shots that left opposing hitters almost unable to lift the ball off the ground.

But that image is now fading.

Recent rehab sessions have shown him struggling to maintain consistent speed, lacking sharp control, and particularly exhibiting signs of physical fatigue during second-round shots.

Experts believe the biggest problem isn’t his technique, but rather his “biological endurance” after a series of consecutive injuries.

Graterol’s absence comes at a time when the Los Angeles Dodgers are under immense pressure regarding bullpen depth.

Several other key players are also injured, leaving the team severely unstable in the bullpen – a cornerstone of their championship ambitions.

The coaching staff is forced to constantly rotate players, while the young prospects lack the experience to shoulder the high-leverage role.

In this context, Graterol’s inability to return only exacerbates the void.

According to sources from the coaching staff, the Dodgers have no intention of rushing Graterol’s return, despite the increasing pressure of the season.

A member of the coaching staff shared:

“We don’t want to lose him for another season. If we have to wait a few more months, we’ll wait.”

This clearly reflects a shift in approach: prioritizing the long term over short-term gains.

Currently, there is no specific timeline for Graterol’s return. Everything depends on the results of the next medical examination and his body’s reaction during this new recovery phase.

But in the MLB world, a question is being asked more and more:

Will Brusdar Graterol be able to return to his former “Bazooka”?

Or will this be an unfinished story of a talent worn down by injury over time?

At a place like Dodger Stadium – where expectations are always at their highest – every comeback has to be perfect.

But for Graterol, that journey is no longer about form.

It’s a battle to keep his career alive.

And for the first time, his silence speaks louder than any pitch ever could.