Prior to his rehab start with High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers moved Walker Buehler to the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to June 29.
The move was just a procedural one, as the Dodgers will save a potential option for Buehler down the line. Additionally, since he is on the disabled list, this will count as Major League service time, which means he could become eligible for free agency a year earlier if he does not get optioned down the line this season.
Buehler is making his way back from a microfracture in his ribs that he suffered when he was hit by a comebacker in the beginning of June against the Colorado Rockies.
He was originally scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City, but the team instead decided to activate him from the disabled list and utilize him out of the bullpen last week against the Chicago Cubs.
Buehler looked rusty during that appearance, giving up five runs in just an inning-plus of work. Soon after that, he was optioned to Rancho Cucamonga, although now it has come to light that has been changed to being placed back on the disabled list.
Considering they are building him back up as a starter, Buehler will likely need two or three rehab starts before being activated from the disabled list. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts would not rule out Buehler returning before the All-Star break though.
Another purpose this serves is limiting Buehler’s innings, which the organization planned to do all along this year as it is just his second season coming off Tommy John surgery.
He tossed three-plus innings in his first rehab start with Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday night, giving up just one hit while striking out five.
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