Brusdar Graterol’s Return and Shohei Ohtani’s New Trading Card Deal

Brusdar Graterol is expected to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers in early September, according to reports. Graterol recently completed a 30-pitch bullpen session and mentioned that his injured hamstring is recovering well. Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts indicated that Graterol will soon embark on a rehabilitation assignment.

In other news, former Dodger Rich Hill has received a call-up from the Baltimore Orioles and will be starting for the team after making a two-inning appearance in triple-A earlier this season. At 44 years old, Hill also spent time coaching his son’s Little League team this year.

Additionally, in a unique twist, Shohei Ohtani‘s dog participated in a ceremonial first pitch during a recent game. This event coincided with Ohtani’s bobblehead night, which drew a massive crowd of fans eager to obtain the limited edition giveaway. Furthermore, reports indicate that the exclusive gold-painted bobbleheads being sold on the secondary market are listed for prices as high as $20,000.

Adding to Ohtani’s achievements, he has signed an exclusive long-term global trading card deal with Topps, a division of Fanatics Collectibles. This agreement is significant as it encompasses autographs and game-used memorabilia cards, emphasizing Ohtani’s unique position as both a pitcher and hitter in baseball.

Ohtani’s partnership with Topps underscores his growing influence in the trading card industry, particularly in Japan, a major market for baseball collectibles. He has expressed enthusiasm for this collaboration, indicating that it is an exciting opportunity for fans to access unique cards and collectibles.

Finally, Ohtani currently leads the National League in several categories, including home runs and slugging percentage, and is a favorite to win the NL MVP award for the third time in his career.