Despite initial assurances otherwise, it was revealed the Los Angeles Dodgers’ cautious handling of Walker Buehler during Spring Training was related to the young starter not feeling quite 100% healthy.
It was said to be a result of an increased workload and hangover from last season. Thus, Buehler did not follow a normal throwing plan. He gradually built up to throwing live batting practice and didn’t make his spring debut until March 19.
That wound up being his only outing of exhibition play. Buehler participated in a simulated game but otherwise went nearly two weeks between starts in a Major League game.
He wasn’t dominant but still held the Arizona Diamondbacks without a baserunner until Carson Kelly’s one-out single in the third inning. However, Buehler’s outing went sideways in the fourth, when he failed to record an out.
Buehler downplayed any concern over what finished as a rocky outing and disagreed with the notion that his lack of pitching in Spring Training was a factor, via SportsNet LA:
“I’m not worried about my stuff and my arm. I just didn’t set them up the right way. I didn’t put pitches where I needed to get the swing and miss. I’ll think on it and move forward.”
“I wouldn’t put too much into the spring. I got my work in and feel good with where I’m at. Obviously, I’ll keep building on that. It’s a long season, and you want to improve.”
One sign of Buehler not being his usual self was a failure to record a strikeout over three-plus innings. Diamondbacks hitters eventually began to time his fastball and balls in play led to three straight hits in the fourth inning.
Buehler then walked Jake Lamb and followed that by allowing a a two-run single to Ketel Marte, his final batter faced. Assuming the 24-year-old remains on turn, he will next start Saturday at Coors Field for the second of a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies.
