LOS ANGELES — Walker Buehler is wholesome, and he was among the many many star Dodgers gamers readily available for DodgerFest at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. The righty's subsequent main league recreation can be his first since June 10, 2022, but it surely received't be at the beginning of the common season.
“Walker is on a sluggish schedule. I feel it's fairly secure to say it's going to be a late begin to the season,” supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned Saturday. “I don't assume anybody has a timeline, however he can be a latecomer [to the regular season]. However the rehabilitation, the work seems to be good.”
Walker Buehler had his second Tommy John surgical procedure in his profession in August 2022, in addition to restore of the flexor tendons in his proper elbow. He aimed for a return final September, which might have been very aggressive simply 13 months after the surgical procedure. However after a two-inning minor league rehab project in Triple-A, Buehler and the Dodgers shut issues down, focusing as a substitute on making ready for 2024.
Saturday's revelation didn't come as an enormous shock, because the crew has hinted that Buehler is not going to begin the season on the energetic roster, together with at basic supervisor conferences in November.
Buehler is wholesome, and has been pitching and understanding at Dodger Stadium because the starting of the 12 months. However on condition that he hasn't pitched in a 12 months and a half, and has totaled simply 67 innings within the majors and minors over the previous two seasons mixed, Buehler can be restricted this season in 2024.
“There's going to be some delay within the season, at the very least. On the finish of the day, we're attempting to work inside a sure innings restrict, an innings rely. We've had loads of conversations about that,” Buehler mentioned Saturday. “I'm throwing on the mound and pitching bullpen recurrently now. I'm going to construct and attempt to contribute after I can.
The Dodgers have the luxurious of Buehler enjoying sluggish due to a busy winter and present minor league pitching depth. The crew signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the biggest and longest contract for a pitcher in main league historical past, and signed Tyler Glasnow for 5 years after buying and selling him. he.
Bobby Miller is the returning starter, and the Dodgers additionally signed veteran James Paxton, although the left-hander's contract was barely reworked over an “unspecified well being difficulty,” so it's not sure.
Being sixth on the Dodgers rotation depth chart isn't such a nasty place to be. Emmet Sheehan made 11 begins for the Dodgers as a rookie, and pitched so nicely down the stretch that he was added to the Nationwide League Division Collection roster. He may have his share of begins in 2024, together with probably at or close to the start of the season, since Buehler can be out.
“I ended the 12 months on a excessive notice within the final month,” Sheehan mentioned Saturday. “I'm tremendous excited this 12 months.
Buehler will begin the season on the injured record – the 15-day selection; not 60 days – with the thought of having it prepared and out there till the deal and in October. Buehler has a 2.94 ERA in 15 profession postseason begins, and a great season in 2024 will increase his free agent market subsequent winter.
“I'm excited to be part of this rotation every time I can,” Buehler mentioned.
