The Los Angeles Dodgers’ depleted starting rotation is beginning to get healthy, as Kenta Maeda returned last week, Rich Hill started Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs, and Clayton Kershaw is due to make a rehab start this weekend.
After that, he presumably will be activated off the 10-day disabled list, barring any setback. The next starter who then could be in line to return after is Walker Buehler. The rookie has missed the last couple of weeks after suffering a microfracture in his ribs.
The injury actually occurred on May 21 against the Colorado Rockies when Buehler was struck in the ribs by a comebacker, but he was able to pitch through it for three starts before needing to go on the disabled list.
It appears Buehler’s recovery is coming along well, as he will throw his first bullpen session this weekend at Citi Field, via Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
Walker Buehler will throw a bullpen session Saturday to test the microfracture in his ribcage.
Buehler stepped up in a big way while all the other starters were out due with injuries early in the season. In nine starts this season, he is 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA, 2.25 FIP and 0.96 WHIP while striking out 54 and walking 11 in 51.1 innings.
Even though he isn’t dealing with an arm injury, the organization will still likely be cautious with their prized young right-hander. Buehler throwing a bullpen this weekend falls right in line with the original two-week timetable given after he was put on the disabled list.
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