Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler has been out with a hip injury since June 19. After making three starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City, he appears close to a return to a Major League mound.
The Dodgers sent Buehler on a rehab assignment on July 26, and his first two outings did not go well — eight runs allowed across 7.1 innings.
Thursday, Buehler made his third start with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate. The right-hander delivered the best of his three performances since his rehab assignment began.
Last month, it was reported that Buehler chose to work through this injury away from the Dodgers organization. While remaining in contact with the Dodgers’ pitching coaches, Buehler worked out at Cressey Sports Performance in Florida. But, his first two rehab starts spurred doubt in the effectiveness of his choice to recover away from the franchise.
In his first start on July 26, Buehler allowed eight hits, four runs, and walked two in just 4.1 innings. His second start on Aug. 1 was even worse as he allowed seven hits, four runs, and three walks across 3.1 innings. Batters averaged .316 and .330 against Buehler in the two games, respectively.
In his Thursday start, which is expected to be his final rehab start, Buehler looked more like a two-time All-Star. He reached the five-inning mark for the first time since June 18.
This is the second time Buehler has been sent on a rehab assignment this season. The first was at the beginning of the season. He was placed on the 15-day injured list prior to Opening Day, allowing him more time to recover his 2022 Tommy John surgery — the second of his career.
Finally, the Dodgers sent Buehler on rehab assignment on March 31. He returned on May 6 but pitched poorly (1-4, 5.84 ERA in eight starts) and was back onto the injured list a month later.
With the return of Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw and the addition of Jack Flaherty, a healthy Buehler will further deepen the Dodgers rotation. The only question is, who will leave when Buehler returns?
Assuming all are healthy, only two members of the Dodgers’ current five-man rotation can be optioned to the minors: rookie right-handers Gavin Stone and River Ryan.
Ryan, 25, has been excellent in his first three starts, alowing only 11 hits and three earned runs across 15.2 innings (a 1.72 ERA)
Stone, 25, was 9-2 with a 2.73 ERA on June 26, after he authored a complete-game shutout against the Chicago White Sox. Since then, however, he’s 0-3 with a 6.91 ERA.
Would the Dodgers send either pitcher to Triple-A or the bullpen in order to accommodate Buehler? After Thursday’s outing, Buehler might have forced the issue.
Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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