One week removed from dropping two of three to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on the road, the Los Angeles Dodgers looked to get back on track against their crosstown rival on Friday as the Freeway Series shifted to Dodger Stadium.
In the hours leading up to first pitch, the club activated top pitching prospect Walker Buehler from the 10-day disabled list and optioned reliever Pat Venditte to Triple-A Oklahoma City as a corresponding move.
Buehler returned to the mound for his first Major League start since June 8 and didn’t miss a beat despite the five-week layoff. In five innings pitched, he allowed six hits and two runs with five strikeouts compared to only one walk.
Buehler threw 79 pitches in the contest and was ultimately tabbed with a no-decision for his efforts. After the game, he revealed that he was pleased with his performance against the Angels given the circumstances, via J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
“Kind of a battle. One of those grinder games,” Buehler said. “First game back. I was happy with it.”
Buehler’s first start off the disabled list can certainly be deemed a success. Not only did he contribute yet another solid effort, but the right-hander showed no signs of being hindered by the microfracture in his ribcage that kept him sidelined for the last month.
While the Dodgers initially considered deploying a six-man starting rotation with Buehler back in the fold, it no longer appears that this will be the route taken. At least not until after the All-Star break.
Rich Hill, who was initially scheduled to start in Sunday’s three-game finale against the Angels, has been demoted to the bullpen for the time being. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reiterated that the left-hander is healthy in wake of his turn being skipped in the rotation.
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