The Los Angeles Dodgers may have mismanaged rookie Walker Buehler’s rib injury a bit in recent weeks, as instead of sending him out of a rehab start like was originally planned, they decided to activate him off the 10-day disabled to be utilized as a relief pitcher.
Buehler’s first outing did not go well, as he gave up five hits and five runs in just one-plus inning. Buehler clearly did not look like his usual self on the mound.
After that game, Buehler wound up being optioned to High-A Rancho Cucamonga, where he was expected to be able to continue his rehab and build his pitch count back up.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he expects Buehler to make at least a couple rehab starts before re-joining the team.
The first of which will be on Tuesday night, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Right-hander Walker Buehler is scheduled to pitch for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday. Roberts said he expects Buehler to throw a bullpen session on Friday and then it will be decided whether he needs to make another start for the Quakes before rejoining the Dodgers.
Buehler has been a big piece for the Dodgers this season, stepping up and pitching well while normal starters like Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Kenta Maeda were on the disabled list.
Buehler getting back to 100 percent will be key for the Dodgers moving forward, so they will give him as much time as he needs in the Minors to get back to where he was before suffering the microfracture of his ribs.
He is 4-2 with a 3.44 ERA, 2.60 FIP and 1.05 WHIP with 54 strikeouts compared to 12 walks in 52.1 innings across 10 games (nine starts).
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