### Dodgers Secure Brusdar Graterol with $2.8 Million Contract Amid Injury Concerns The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed right-handed reliever Brusdar Graterol to a one-year contract worth $2.8 million, successfully avoiding salary arbitration. Graterol, 27, has faced significant challenges in recent seasons, including a torn labrum that required surgery in November 2024, which sidelined him for the entire 2025 season. Since the start of 2024, he has only pitched in seven games due to various injuries, including shoulder inflammation and a hamstring strain. Despite these setbacks, Graterol boasts a career record of 11-9, a 2.78 ERA, and 11 saves, indicating his potential value to the Dodgers' bullpen if he can return to form [https://apnews.com/article/dodgers-brusdar-graterol-cc4f095b6f623c4078f9aa7ae5c19516]. ### Breakdown of the Contract and Its Implications 1. **Contract Details**: - Graterol's contract is valued at **$2.8 million** for the 2026 season, which allows him to avoid arbitration [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/dodgers-brusdar-graterol-avoid-arbitration.html]. 2. **Injury History**: - Graterol underwent **shoulder surgery** in November 2024 and missed the entire 2025 season. He has pitched only **7.1 innings** since the start of 2024 due to injuries [https://www.presstelegram.com/2026/01/07/brusdar-graterol-dodgers-reach-1-year-agreement-avoid-arbitration]. 3. **Performance Metrics**: - Career statistics show Graterol with an **ERA of 2.78**, **11 wins**, and **11 saves**, highlighting his effectiveness when healthy [https://apnews.com/article/graterol-garrett-wesneski-salary-arbitration-d643c58263cea91aff6869dd85a73a00]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Contract Value**: - Graterol's **$2.8 million** contract is competitive for a reliever, especially considering his injury history [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/dodgers-brusdar-graterol-reportedly-agree-015026640.html]. - **Injury Impact**: - The missed 2025 season and limited appearances in 2024 raise questions about his reliability moving forward, but his previous performance metrics suggest he can be a valuable asset if he regains full health [https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/dodgers-brusdar-graterol-u18034]. - **Comparative Contracts**: - Other players, such as Braxton Garrett and Hayden Wesneski, also agreed to contracts to avoid arbitration, indicating a trend among pitchers recovering from injuries [https://abc30.com/post/brusdar-graterol-braxton-garrett-hayden-wesneski-agree-deals/18370737]. ### Conclusion: A Calculated Risk for the Dodgers In summary, the Dodgers' decision to sign Brusdar Graterol to a **$2.8 million** contract reflects a calculated risk based on his past performance and potential for recovery. 1. **Contract Agreement**: The one-year deal allows the Dodgers to retain Graterol while minimizing financial risk [https://dodgersnation.com/dodgers-brusdar-graterol-avoid-arbitration-ahead-of-2026-season/2026/01/07]. 2. **Injury Recovery**: If Graterol can overcome his injury challenges, he could significantly bolster the Dodgers' bullpen, which is crucial for their competitive aspirations in the upcoming season [https://thepicks.com/us/news/mlb/dodgers-brusdar-graterol-arbitration-2024]. 3. **Future Outlook**: Graterol's performance in 2026 will be closely monitored, as he is set to become a free agent after the season, making this a pivotal year for both him and the Dodgers [https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-roster/108916/brusdar-graterol-dodgers-contract].