Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Walker Buehler Giving Himself Time To Return To Form
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Walker Buehler Giving Himself Time To Return To Form

Matt Borelli
May 13, 2024
5 Min Read
May 12, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (21) tosses a ball in the air during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The Los Angeles Dodgers had their streak of five consecutive series wins snapped with a 4-0 loss to the San Diego Padres on Sunday. Walker Buehler struggled in his second start since rejoining the team after a lengthy rehab assignment.

The right-hander lasted just 3.1 innings and exited with the bases loaded in the fourth inning. He allowed three runs on five hits — including back-to-back home runs in the first — while collecting two strikeouts.

Buehler acknowledged it will take some time before he potentially returns to his pre-surgery form, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:

“I think there’s a timeline before I kind of jump off a bridge kind of deal,” Buehler said of his own expectations. “Both starts have obviously some negative things as far as performance, but some encouraging things for me as far as the backside of it.

“It’s going to take me a minute. I don’t think you can re-create everything that goes with being a starting pitcher in the major leagues and I want to get deep into games and set us up to win and I didn’t do that today. But I think in this rehab thing, I kind of have to look at the good things. I threw some good pitches and got into some bad counts and good hitters put good swings on it, but I think I’m a little more encouraged today than I was in the last one.”

Buehler estimated that he will need three or four more starts to work on things and hopefully build some momentum:

“I think it’ll be before 10 starts that I’ll start getting really angry at myself if it keeps going like this,” he said. “But I think the next three or four starts, still trying to figure it out and put some things together.

“I want to stay in the rotation. We have a lot of really talented people here. So I’m trying to give myself a little grace period to not freak out. And in saying that, I’m not freaked out. I’m actually pretty encouraged by a lot of the things I’ve done. … But yeah, a few more starts that I’m kind of giving myself a little bit of grace. And then after that, that kind of ‘Happy to be here’ thing will go away.”

Buehler is the ultimate competitor and always sets the highest standards for himself, but knows he will need to be patient in order to get back to pitching at an elite level.

Buehler missed nearly two years after undergoing a second Tommy John surgery and flexor tendon repair before returning to a Major League mound last week against the Miami Marlins.

In that start, the 29-year-old allowed three runs on six hits and collected four strikeouts over four innings of work. Through two starts this season, Buehler is 0-1 with a 7.36 ERA, 8.45 FIP and 1.77 WHIP in 7.1 innings pitched.

Walker Buehler was surprised by velocity in 2024 debut

Buehler’s fastball velocity topped out at 97.6 mph in his 2024 debut, which he attributed to his adrenaline taking over. “I didn’t think there was 97 or 98, but I think that’s the adrenaline of being back,” Buehler said.

“Normally, I try to temper that. And I’ve been somewhat concerned about the velocity, so we kind of tried to ride it and see what’s in there.

“The next one, I’ll probably feel the same and be able to temper it a little bit knowing that it’s in there. I’ll probably have higher expectations of myself next outing. I feel pretty good coming out of it. We’ll see how it goes.”

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Los Angeles DodgersWalker Buehler
ByMatt Borelli
Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Andy Pages
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers & Giants ‘Bring Out The Best’ In Each Other

June 29, 2024
June 30, 2024
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Alex Verdugo is thrown out at home plate against the Boston Red Sox
Rumors

Dodgers Trade Rumors: Alex Verdugo, Plus 1 Or 2 Prospects May Head To Red Sox In Mookie Betts Trade

February 9, 2020
February 9, 2020
Yasiel-puig-18
Dodgers News

NL Scout Believes Dodgers Are ‘Afraid’ To Trade Yasiel Puig

November 13, 2016
November 13, 2016
Dodgers News: Kenley Jansen Scheduled To Begin Throwing From Mound
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Kenley Jansen Scheduled To Begin Throwing From Mound

April 15, 2015
November 24, 2015

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어