The Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation recently took a hit with Walker Buehler landing back on the 10-day injured list due to a lingering blister concern.
The issue first arose at the end of August, which prompted an initial IL stint that cost him nearly two weeks. Buehler returned at the start of September and made two starts — the second of which saw him log only 2.2 innings.
Now with only 10 games remaining in the regular season, Buehler doesn’t have much time to ramp up for the playoffs. He is currently stationed at the Dodgers’ alternate site, where he continues to throw.
“Walker is not with us. He threw a couple days ago and it went really well, it was six (innings) and 80 (pitches), I think it was,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said this week.
“He threw with the finger covered and it went really well. I don’t think that with the rules, he’s allowed to come with us to Denver. I think he’ll throw again at the secondary site here when we’re on the road.”
As for the possibility of Buehler being activated and making one final start before the postseason, Roberts is cautiously hopeful.
“I am optimistic so I think that he’ll do one more simulated, it’s probably going to be like a six (innings) and 90 (pitches), and then he’ll make his last start of the season with us and be ready for the postseason,” Roberts said.
Buehler trying to deal with blister
As the month of October approaches, Buehler admitted to needing to cope with the blister. “I think right now we’re just trying to figure out how to deal with it. I’m not overly concerned,” he said after facing the Diamondbacks.
“I just want to pitch better. At the end of the day that’s all it really is. I have the utmost trust and respect for our trainers, our coaching staff and making decisions. I think we’ve handled it pretty well so far.”
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