Dodgers to Be Without Multiple Key Pitchers Until Early April at Least
The injury bug didn't take long to strike the Dodgers pitching staff this spring.
According to Bill Plunkett of the OC Register, two of L.A.'s right-handed pitchers, Brusdar Graterol and Emmet Sheehan, will miss the start of the regular season. They'll open the season on the injured list.
"The Dodgers are expected to put right-handers Brusdar Graterol (hip) and Emmet Sheehan (shoulder) on the i"njured list before the trip to South Korea. Both will be ineligible to return before April 4.
This is a tough blow to the Dodgers' pitching staff, who will already be missing a handful of arms to start the season. Guys like Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin will also miss the start of the season, with varying injuries.
The hope for Graterol was to be ready by the time the Dodgers came back to the States to be ready for Opening Day in Los Angeles, but that appeared to be wishful thinking.
As for Sheehan, a stint on the injured list to open the season has been known for some time. Sheehan's been dealing with a shoulder injury, and hasn't appeared in a Cactus League game this spring.
He was slated to be the No. 5 starter for the Boys in Blue, but this injury opens the door for their top young pitching prospect, Gavin Stone, to be the fifth pitcher in the rotation to start the season. Michael Grove remains an option for that spot, too.
