Walker Buehler in his fifth minor league rehab begin within the fifth inning for Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis on Wednesday evening at Albuquerque Excessive.
Buehler's downside got here within the second and third innings, permitting a house run in every inning. He additionally gave up three doubles, and a complete of 5 runs, three of them earned in his 4 extra innings.
He got here out to begin the fifth inning, however walked the leadoff hitter on six pitches to finish his evening after 86 pitches. After wanting on the scoreboard to see the place the pitch ended up, Buehler turned and appeared to say, “That's so unhealthy” towards dwelling plate, presumably on the automated ball-strike system that’s used for the video games of the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Triple-A.
It was the second stroll of the evening for Buehler, out of 4 final Thursday in his wildest outing thus far. The stuff was good, as Buehler struck out 5 and induced 15 swinging strikes. He obtained a strikeout known as or a whiff on 32.6 p.c of his pitches. To place the latter in perspective, Buehler in his profession has a 29.3-percent CSW% (known as strikes plus whiffs share) within the majors.
After solely two of his 9 curveballs final Thursday in Oklahoma Metropolis have been hits — “He couldn't land the curveball, and I respect that he was attempting to do this,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned Saturday — Buehler on Wednesday he landed all six. swinging strikes, together with a few swinging strikes. Though one of many dwelling runs was hit out of bounds.
What's subsequent for Buehler stays to be seen, and can probably contain conversations between Buehler, the teaching workers, and the entrance workplace about when Buehler might be activated by the Dodgers.
Oklahoma Metropolis subsequent week is dwelling to face Salt Lake, the Angels' Triple-A affiliate. The Dodgers will probably be in Phoenix to play the Diamondbacks.
Buehler in his 5 rehab begins – 4 with Oklahoma Metropolis, one with Rancho – has allowed 12 runs (9 earned runs) on 19 hits in 16⅔ innings, for a 4.86 ERA with 16 strikeouts and 9 walks.
