“We’re all excited to get him back” - Dave Roberts anticipates Walker Buehler's return after completing his final rehab assignment
Los Angeles Dodgers starting ace Walker Buehler is nearing his return to the major league mound, with his final rehab start scheduled for Tuesday, according to manager Dave Roberts.
Buehler is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in August 2022. He missed the entirety of the 2023 season, despite some initial assumptions that he may start pitching in last year's postseason. However, a setback forced the management to hold him out until the 2024 season.
In the latest interaction with MLB Radio Network, Roberts updated about Buehler's potential return to the major league roster and the excitement within the clubhouse to have him back.
"Yeah, he's going to start, I think it's going to be Tuesday for that AAA team, that OKC team. And then after that, then we'll get him with us if all goes well," Roberts said. "It's been a long time since Walker's pitched for us, and I know he's chomping at the bit to get back. And we're all excited to get him back.
"So I feel good that we're running out the whole process and the buildup and getting him back," the manager added. "So when he does come to us, the leashes will be off and he can kind of go do what he does. So we're excited. I'm really looking forward to Walker making his start when he gets back here."
Walker Buehler struggles in minor league outings
Although Dave Roberts mentioned having a "good version of Walker Buehler," his minor league outings aren't looking that great.
In his last outing on Wednesday, Buehler allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits in four innings of work. He struck out five and walked two in 86 pitches, his season high this year.
Buehler is 0-2 with a 4.86 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 16.2 innings pitched between the Dodgers' minor league organizations this season.
It will be be good to have prime Buehler when he's back at the Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers lack experience when it comes to the starting rotation.
However, with the arrival of Walker Buehler and potentially Clayton Kershaw in the back end of the summer, the Dodgers would become the team people were fearing when the season started.