UPDATE (Thursday, June 28, 11:10 a.m. PT): The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Walker Buehler off the 10-day disabled list and intend to utilize him in relief during Thursday’s game against the Chicago Cubs.
Correlating to the Los Angeles Dodgers turning matters around on the field has been the improved health within their starting rotation. Within a stretch of 10 days the club saw Kenta Maeda, Rich Hill and Clayton Kershaw return from the 10-day disabled list.
At one point the Dodgers were without Walker Buehler, Hill, Kershaw, Maeda, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Dennis Santana. Los Angeles was initially able to withstand losing Hill, Kershaw and Maeda, but replacements Buehler and Santana landing on the DL put a strain on the organization’s pitching depth.
In Buehler’s case, he made three starts with a rib microfracture that was suffered June 21 when he was struck by a line drive. Buehler remained in the game and x-rays following the outing came back negative.
He was diagnosed with rib soreness and later said to have bruised ribs before another examination revealed the microfracture. Buehler has thrown two bullpen sessions since being placed on the DL on June 12.
Now the 23-year-old is scheduled to make a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Dodgers rookie right-hander Walker Buehler’s return from a rib microfracture has been accelerated, as he will make a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.
Buehler joins the Dodgers’ top Minor League affiliate in lieu of throwing a third bullpen session. He said this week pain had subsided and he was eager to return. Should Buehler get through his rehab outing without issue, he could be activated early next week.
If or when he comes off the disabled list, the Dodgers may expand to using a six-man starting rotation. The club is currently in the midst of playing 23 games in 24 days to lead up to the All-Star break.
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