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Dodgers’ sickly offense not the only thing looking less than healthy

May 3, 2026

ST. LOUIS – It’s not the explanation. But it’s probably not a coincidence either.

The Dodgers’ four-game visit to Coors Field two weeks ago started with snow on the ground and a 35-degree temperature at first pitch, the lowest recorded temperature at the start of a game in franchise history.

Three days later, the game-time temperature was 78. The road trip continued with a soggy series in San Francisco where it rained intermittently for two days.

The climate whipsaw left a number of Dodgers players fighting illness. Max Muncy seemed to get it worst. He has played through chills and a hacking cough for two weeks. Freddie Freeman has experienced some of the same body aches and congestion.

Other players like Teoscar Hernandez and Alex Freeland got lesser versions of the symptoms, centered on sinus congestion.

At the same time, the Dodgers’ offense has been sickly. In 10 games after leaving Colorado (through Friday in St. Louis), the Dodgers scored 36 runs and hit .211 as a team with just three home runs (none in four games, their longest homer-less streak since 2023).

“It is a factor. It’s the truth,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged when asked about the hacking and wheezing going on in his clubhouse – and in the lineup. “Freddie’s got it a little bit. Muncy’s gone through it. Teo’s gone through it, Freeland, a lot of different guys. Yeah, it’s gone through our clubhouse.

“Absolutely. I do think, as far as how the body feels, has been affected. It was since Colorado, so there is a line of demarcation where we really went south with the offense since Colorado. But for me, it’s hard for me to just leave it at that. I do think it’s a factor, but I still feel like we’ve still gotta find a way to be productive.”

Six months spent in close proximity, traveling together – and working outdoors in a variety of climates – annually leads to stretches like this when teams share more than a clubhouse.

“I would say it happens twice a year. … So we’re halfway done,” Roberts joked. “I do think at some point in the season, alarm bells start going off about something going through the clubhouse. Because we are together a lot obviously, traveling and things like that. And a lot of our guys have young kids and that’s what happens.”

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Right-hander Brusdar Graterol joined Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday to start a minor-league injury-rehabilitation assignment.

Graterol has not pitched in an actual game (including spring training) since undergoing shoulder surgery following the 2024 World Series. He has experienced a number of setbacks during his recovery and only recently progressed to facing hitters in live batting practice sessions.

Graterol is expected to spend near the 30-day limit on rehab assignment.

“He hasn’t pitched a whole lot in the last two, three years. So his buildup needs to be methodical,” Roberts said. “I’m looking forward to him getting going.

“Yeah, it seems like the last few years it’s been a rehab situation. So for him to get out of that mode and get to being a regular player, get the health (issues) behind him – we’re all looking forward to that.”

The 27-year-old Graterol is not signed beyond this season and can be a free agent this winter. Establishing that he has returned to full strength will be important for him.

Meanwhile, Brock Stewart and Blake Snell are both scheduled to pitch for OKC on Sunday, continuing their rehab assignments. Stewart is nearing the end of his rehab while Snell is expected to make at least one more start after Sunday.

UP NEXT

Dodgers (LHP Justin Wrobleski, 4-0, 1.50 ERA) at Cardinals (RHP Dustin May, 3-2, 5.28 ERA), Sunday, 11:15 a.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM

Orange County Register

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Dodgers’ sickly offense not the only thing looking less than healthy

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