Walker Buehler has been out for some time due to an elbow injury. He nearly returned from August 2022 Tommy Joh surgery late last season. However, the pitching-starved Los Angeles Dodgers said otherwise. Los Angeles took a conservative approach to his usage in the early stages of this year. Buehler made progress on Monday as he threw four simulated innings before the Dodgers exhibition game against the Los Angeles Angels. Buehler won’t be ready in time for Opening Day, but he is moving in the right direction at the right time.
Dave Roberts said Walker Buehler pitched four simulated innings to Dodgers hitters before the game. A rehab assignment is “close,” but up first is a bullpen session in 2-3 days
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) March 26, 2024
Walker Buehler Is Moving in a Promising Direction
Manager Dave Roberts noted that the right-hander is “close” to being sent out on a rehab assignment. He’ll need to bounce back well from Monday’s outing and toss a side session later in the week before a decision is made on when that might be.
“He’s been through the rehab process, facing his own hitters, the simulated games quite a bit over the last year,” said Roberts. “I think he’s sort of over it.” The Dodgers should know more about the next steps for Buehler once he throws his next bullpen.
Buehler Gearing Up for a Healthy 2024
Long before Buehler had his second Tommy John surgery, plenty of hopes for the club winning a World Series were reliant on his arm. Buehler, 29, was the Dodgers Opening Day starter in 2022, often keeping their chances alive with big postseason performances. He still has some work to do to maximize his performance to the fullest while staying healthy. Despite some changes, he believes his best days are ahead of him. He still believes he can be the level of pitcher the Dodgers expect out of him.
“I don’t really think I have much doubt about my abilities if I’m healthy to go and get people out,” Buehler said. “I think getting out there is the biggest thing. And I was close to doing that last year, and it just didn’t work out.”
Throughout the offseason, Buegler was sitting around 92-94 mph during bullpen sessions. He may have days where his bullpens are better than others, but it’s part of the process. All the Dodgers care about is having a healthy pitcher who can contribute by the time October baseball gets underway.
Seven Pitchers Open the Season on Injured List
Signs of optimism surrounding Buehler continue to grow, but he’s one of seven players on the injured list. Brusdar Graterol (shoulder inflammation), Emmet Sheehan (shoulder soreness) and Blake Ternien (bruised lung) will join their teammate to begin the season on the 15-day injured list. Clayton Kershaw, Tony Goslin and Dustin May are on the 60-day injured list. The trio of pitchers each had major surgery last year. The injuries to Graterol and Terinen, it opens the door for Kyle Hurt and Gus Varland to make their first Opening Day roster in their careers.
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