Walker Buehler has made five starts with the Los Angeles Dodgers since returning from a nearly two-year hiatus after undergoing a second Tommy John surgery and flexor tendon repair.
The right-hander’s first two outings left a lot to be desired, but he bounced back with a strong performance against the Cincinnati Reds on May 18. His last two starts have been more of a mixed bag.
“Physically, I’m probably exceeding where I thought I was going to be. But performance-wise, I feel like [expletive],” Buehler said. “I think my expectations of myself, I think I’m not anywhere close to where I want to be.
“I think if you take a layoff like that, you’re going to have the same expectations you always have. But you start tallying these starts, I think it’s kind of ‘put up or shut up’ time for me, at least mentally. And these last few, obviously, haven’t been good enough.”
Buehler previously acknowledged that his stuff isn’t as good as before his latest operation, but expressed confidence he can still get hitters out.
The 29-year-old is 1-3 with 4.32 ERA, 5.41 FIP and 1.32 WHIP in 25 innings pitched. He has allowed exactly three runs in four of his five starts this season, with the other being a scoreless outing.
Dave Roberts wants Walker Buehler to ‘temper’ expectations
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts appreciates that Buehler wants to quickly return to form, but believes it is going to take some time. “He is, but that’s how we want it,” Roberts answered when asked if Buehler is being too hard on himself.
“There is a balance of managing expectations, and I think that’s where Mark Prior and myself come into play. Individually, he’s going to expect the best of himself. But I think for me, for Mark, for the organization, to sort of temper it and know this is still a process, is important.
“I do think for Walker, each outing, to take something positive out of it. I talked to him a little bit, and there’s some stiffness but no soreness.
“Those are things that a year ago today, he was at home in Kentucky watching his teammates. The world has changed and he’s put in a lot of work. We can’t lose that perspective.”
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