The Los Angeles Dodgers never set a target date for Walker Buehler to come off the 15-day injured list for his 2024 debut, but it wasn’t long ago that manager Dave Roberts suggested that was imminent.
However, Buehler has remained on a rehab assignment and is poised to make yet another start for Triple-A Oklahoma City next week. Buehler’s latest rehab outing is expected to take place Tuesday, when the Oklahoma City Baseball Club hosts the Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels Affiliate).
Although Buehler is not yet at the point of being activated, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts dismissed the notion of potentially having some concern and explained the right-hander merely needs to continue building his pitch count, via SportsNet LA:
“No, no. There’s a few players that I’m not worried about their confidence, and Walker is one of them. So I’m not really worried about his confidence. … Just to get him stretched out.”
Roberts acknowledged Buehler likely feels ready to return but has been part of the decision-making process:
“I think he’s probably over it, but I think he understands our thought. Walker is part of the conversation too.”
Roberts previously expressed some concern with Buehler’s progression before reversing course and assuring there had been improvement on his pitches.
In his rehab start this past Wednesday, Buehler faced 21 batters and allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits in four-plus innings of work. Buehler struck out five batters and issued two walks on 86 pitches, which are the most he’s thrown since beginning his rehab assignment.
Four of Buehler’s five rehab starts have come with the Oklahoma City. In an April 12 start for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, he completed just two innings because of getting hit in the right hand/knuckles by a comebacker.
Buehler is 0-2 with a 4.86 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 16.2 innings pitched between the two Dodgers’ Minor League affiliates.
When is Walker Buehler returning?
If Buehler indeed just needs one more rehab start, that would leave him on track to join the Dodgers’ rotation during their homestand.
Keeping with a same schedule of pitching on five days’ rest, the earliest Buehler figures to start for the Dodgers is Monday, April 6, in the series opener against the Miami Marlins.
Buehler has not started for the Dodgers on June 10, 2022, when he injured his right elbow in a game against the San Francisco Giants that led to the flexor tendon repair and second Tommy John surgery.
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