The Los Angeles Dodgers were recently said to be giving consideration to pitching Walker Buehler during the three-game exhibition Freeway Series. The right-handed prospect was selected by the team in the first round of the 2015 Draft.
Buehler underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after, and missed most of the 2016 season. He appeared in three regular-season games (two with Low-A Great Lakes and one with the Arizona League Dodgers) and twice started for the Loons during their run to a Midwest League title.
While it’s plausible Buehler may pitch in a Major League stadium this weekend, he made his Spring Training debut on Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds. The appearance began on a down note, which prompted a mound visit from Chase Utley.
The veteran infielder declined to provide specifics of the conversation, though Buehler did, via Bill Plunkett of the O.C. Register:
“He just told me that was a long fly ball, that he was Chase and try to get some outs,” Buehler said afterwards.
Upon entering in the seventh inning with the Dodgers trailing, 7-2, Buehler walked the first batter faced. He then surrendered a two-run home run to Adam Duvall. The homer was Duvall’s second of the game.
It was at that point Utley approached the 22-year-old prospect to introduce himself. Whether a sheer coincidence or a byproduct of the quick conversation, Buehler retired the next three batters faced.
