Dodgers avoided arbitration with pitcher Brusdar Graterol on Wednesday, reportedly agreeing to give the Venezuelan right-hander a one-year deal worth $2.8 million before Thursday's deadline to avoid an arbitration hearing.
Graterol, 27, missed the 2025 season after having labrum surgery on his right shoulder in November 2024. The $2.8 million figure is equal to his salary from last season.
After he was acquired by the Dodgers in the 2020 trade that sent Kenta Maeda to the Minnesota Twins, he developed into a dynamic member of the team's bullpen.
Graterol's best season came in 2023, when he recorded a 1.20 earned run average over 67.1 innings in 68 games, striking out 48 batters and walking 11.
Shoulder inflammation and a hamstring strain limited Graterol to just seven games during the 2024 regular season, although he did play in three games. World Series Games against the New York Yankees, including the decisive Game 5 – before he had shoulder surgery.
Graterol can become a free agent after the 2026 season.
The Dodgers have three more arbitration-eligible players who have until Thursday to agree to salary terms for next season: Left-hander Anthony Banda, outfielder Alex Call and right-handed Brock Stewart.
If either player cannot reach an agreement, the team and player must exchange salary figures and a hearing will be scheduled. Negotiations may continue until the hearing date.
