Two Dodgers Pitchers Take Big Steps in Minor League Rehab Assignments

The Los Angeles Dodgers are eagerly awaiting the return of two right-handed bullpen arms from the injured list. Both could be returning soon.

Michael Grove and Ryan Brasier are both inching their way back to the big leagues with successful rehab outings for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Grove is most likely going to return before Brasier.

Grove is “close” to completing his rehab assignments with Triple-A Oklahoma City and could return at some point this week while Brasier’s rehab assignment is expected to last longer.

The Dodgers sent Grove to Oklahoma City on July 21 to begin his rehab assignment.

Grove’s journey as a big leaguer has been an interesting one. He came up through the farm system as a starter and was moved to the bullpen. He has embraced the move and adopted a bulldog mentality that serves him and the Dodgers well.

“Everybody wants to start, and I believe I can start, but we also have a really unique collection of talent with Walker coming back and Kershaw coming back,” Grove told the Los Angeles Times back in May. “My ability to make an impact on the team is in the role I have now.

“I want to be in the big leagues, and I want to play for this team that wins a lot of games and has a chance to win in October, and part of that is making sacrifices and doing what’s best for you and for the team. I understand that.”

Brasier has had a different story this season.

After signing a two-year, $9 million contract with the Dodgers in February, he tweaked his calf in April and hasn’t pitched for the Dodgers in months.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Brasier has had an injury like this.

“I was doing some sprints. Felt it blow up in my calf,” Brasier told the Orange County Register in April .

“That was about two months (missed). It was the last day of spring training. I actually did this one (points at left leg) covering first base. Then the last day that I was supposed to be rehabbing, I got hit in the head with a line drive. So that made that turn into like four months.”

The recovery has been similar. The Dodgers have taken the rehab process slowly because he is an important bullpen arm.

Brasier’s 0.70 ERA last season is the second-lowest in a season in Dodgers history with a minimum of 30 innings pitched, behind only left-hander Hank Aguirre in 1968. He was arguably one of the best relievers in baseball and the Dodgers are hoping to get the same guy back.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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