Analysis of Recent Injuries Affecting Major League Baseball Pitchers
Introduction
Two professional pitchers, Chase Dollander of the Colorado Rockies and Brusdar Graterol of the Los Angeles Dodgers, have suffered medical setbacks that forced them to leave active competition.
Main Body
Regarding the Colorado Rockies, pitcher Chase Dollander was placed on the 15-day injured list after a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 13, 2026. An MRI confirmed that he has a minor sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). Dollander emphasized that he first felt discomfort during a previous game against the Philadelphia Phillies, and the pain continued during his next appearance. He noted that speaking with professional advisors and teammates, such as Shane McClanahan, helped reduce his worries about needing surgery. However, there is currently no fixed date for his return to the team. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers have seen a setback in the recovery of reliever Brusdar Graterol. After missing the entire 2025 season due to shoulder surgery, Graterol tried to return through a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Unfortunately, this process was stopped early because of recurring back pain, which required further medical imaging. Before this injury, Graterol's statistics showed that he lacked his usual speed and had a high ERA of 8.10 over 3.1 innings. Consequently, he likely would not have returned to the main roster even without this back problem.
Conclusion
Both athletes now face uncertain recovery periods while their teams wait for more detailed medical results.
Learning
π The 'Cause & Effect' Upgrade
An A2 student says: "He had back pain, so he stopped playing."
A B2 student says: "Consequently, he likely would not have returned to the main roster."
The Secret Ingredient: Connectors of Result
In the text, the word "Consequently" is doing a lot of heavy lifting. Instead of using "so" (which is common but basic), B2 speakers use formal transition words to show a logical result.
How to use it:
- Consequently [Action/Fact] [Direct Result]
- Example: "The pitcher suffered a sprain; consequently, he was placed on the injured list."
𧩠The "Likely" Logic (Probability)
Look at this phrase: "...he likely would not have returned..."
To move toward B2, you must stop speaking in absolute truths (Yes/No) and start speaking in probabilities.
- A2 Level: "He didn't return." (Certainty)
- B2 Level: "He likely would not have returned." (Educated guess/Probability)
Try swapping these in your mind:
- Instead of "Maybe," use Possibly / Likely.
- Instead of "I think," use It appears that...
π οΈ Vocabulary Shift: From 'Bad' to 'Setback'
In the article, the author doesn't just say "the players had a problem." They use the word "setback."
Setback (noun): A problem that delays progress.
When you are recovering from an illness or studying for a test, don't just say "I had a problem." Say: "I experienced a slight setback in my studies last week." This immediately signals to a listener that your English is advancing toward a professional level.