While he finished last season as a reliever for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the organization shifted Walker Buehler back to his usual starter’s role at the outset of Spring Training. But an upper back issue stymied Buehler’s throwing program and he fell behind other pitchers.
Buehler threw his first bullpen session of the spring in late February and made his Cactus League debut on Marco 10 against the Chicago Cubs. He fired two shutout innings, allowing just one hit and recording five strikeouts.
Buehler struck out the side in the ninth inning after allowing a leadoff single. Although it was an impressive showing, the organization’s top pitching prospect was among the roster cuts two days later.
The 23-year-old is now set to return from the Minor League side for a start Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Dave Roberts confirms Walker Buehler will start for #Dodgers v DBacks tomorrow
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 15, 2018
The Dodgers appear to have settled on a starting rotation order of Clayton Kershaw, Alex Wood, Kenta Maeda, Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu, but this week will have seen Ross Stripling and Buehler each make a spot start.
Last spring, Buehler made just one Cactus League appearance, allowing three runs on two hits in one inning of work. The limited action was part of the Dodgers’ plans to slowly bring him along.
This year is Buehler’s second full season removed from Tommy John surgery. He’s projected to throw 140-150 innings, and unless injuries strike, may not join the Dodgers until the second half of the year.
