The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t anticipate that starting pitcher Walker Buehler would make his 2024 season debut until at least May. But now he could return before that initial timeline.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts informed the press on March 30 that Buehler will pitch in a Triple-A rehab start on March 31. The appearance will be his first of four rehab starts in the minor leagues.
If everything proceeds as planned at Triple-A, Buehler could be ready to pitch for the Dodgers in under a month.
“Sunday’s appearance will be the first of four rehab starts for Buehler, as per the team’s current plans, although things remain flexible as the Dodgers want to be as cautious as possible in managing Buehler’s return after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2022,” stated MLB Trade Rumors’ Mark Polishuk. “Buehler is already well beyond the normal 13-15 rehab window, though obviously not every recovery process is the same for every pitcher, plus this was also the second TJ procedure of Buehler’s career.
“If all goes well at Triple-A, Buehler should be on track to be part of the L.A. rotation before April is over.”
Buehler last played for the Dodgers on June 10, 2022. had a 6-3 record with a 4.02 ERA in 12 appearances during the 2022 season. He posted Dodgers’ Walker Buehler Set to Make Season Debut at Triple-A
Getting Buehler back in the rotation would be a huge boost for the Dodgers.
had a .742 win percentage in his seven-year MLB career. Buehler has also registered a 3.02 ERA with a 1.036 WHIP and 690 strikeouts in 638.1 career innings.
He owns Buehler finished
fourth in National League Cy Young voting during the 2021 season. He was an All-Star that season along with in 2019. at least 14 games in each of those two campaigns.
He won The Dodgers are dealing with a lot of injuries in their starting rotation to begin the 2024 season. In addition to Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, Emmet Sheehan, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin all opened the season
on the injured reserve list In all likelihood, the Dodgers will need to get back more than one of those arms to be a dangerous October team. But Buehler’s return would obviously be a big step in the right direction for the Dodgers rotation..
Dodgers Starting Rotation Impressive in Opening Home Series
With all the injuries, the Dodgers had major question marks in their rotation entering 2024. Furthermore, their prized international signing, Yoshinobu Yamamoto,
allowed 5 runs in 1 inning in his MLB debut during the Seoul Series on March 21. Los Angeles signed
Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract during the offseason. But the Dodgers starting rotation is off to a much better start at home.
In the home opener on March 28,
Tyler Glasnow gave up just 1 run on 2 hits in 6 innings. He also struck out 5 and walked only 1. Then on March 29, 25-year-old Bobby Miller topped Glasnow’s performance. Miller pitched 6 shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits and 1 walk while striking out 11.
Behind Glasnow and Miller, the Dodgers have beaten the St. Louis Cardinals in the first two games of the opening series at Dodgers Stadium.
On March 30, Yamamoto will get his second chance to pitch in the MLB. He is expected to go up against Cardinals experienced starter Lance Lynn.
The Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts informed the press that Walker Buehler will begin a Triple-A rehab start on March 31. He is projected to face Cardinals veteran starter Lance Lynn.
