Dodgers activate Brusdar Graterol and lose Gavin Lux in flurry of moves

The Los Angeles Dodgers will welcome another weapon to their bullpen on Sunday — and do they even need it, with the performance of Corey Knebel, Blake Treinen, Victor González and Kenley Jansen so far?

Unfortunately, this addition comes with a cost.

Brusdar Graterol, who got a late start to his campaign due to an offseason bout with COVID-19 and ramped up throughout a de facto extended spring training, will rejoin the roster Sunday.

Joining him? Youngster Sheldon Neuse, acquired from the A’s late in the spring. He’ll be taking Gavin Lux’s place on the roster, who was unfortunately felled with wrist soreness.

The Dodgers added Brusdar Graterol but lost Gavin Lux.

Thus far in 2021, Lux was looking the part of someone who’d finally fulfill his top prospect pedigree. The second baseman opened the campaign with a four-game hitting streak, featuring two games of multiple hits and two triples.

Unfortunately, after being anointed a starter, he tailed off from there, and hits the IL down to .220 on the campaign. Zach McKinstry has taken his shine a bit this season, too, playing the role of “star youngster” on the best roster in the National League.

In the realm of positives, though, Graterol’s addition should be huge for a bullpen that’s been carrying on without him. After all, who doesn’t want to add a high-energy arm who can match velocity with anyone in the game?

And yes, this does mean there’s a chance the rivalry with the Padres grows more intense in the days to come, as Graterol’s fire hasn’t meshed very well with Manny Machado in the recent past.

Will he be throwing his full level of gas right out of the gate? Of course not. But taking some pressure innings off Graterol’s arm over a few weeks at the start of the season may ultimately prove beneficial by October.

Come on, feel the Neuse.

Sorry.