Walker Buehler, a key pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is set to make his first MLB start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2022. Manager Dave Roberts announced that Buehler will take the mound on Monday against the Miami Marlins, nearly two years after his last start in June 2022. Buehler underwent Tommy John surgery to replace the UCL and flexor tendon in his pitching elbow following discomfort and subsequent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs. Despite hopes for a return before the end of the 2023 season, Buehler was shut down after a brief minor league rehab appearance in September.
The upcoming start will mark Buehler’s return after his second Tommy John surgery, following his first in 2015. Buehler had established himself as one of the game’s best pitchers after his debut in 2018, earning All-Star nods and playing a key role in the Dodgers’ World Series win in 2020. While his 2022 season prior to surgery was not his best, with a 6-3 record and 4.03 ERA in 12 starts, Buehler showed promise in his last rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City where his fastball reached the mid-90s. Roberts anticipates Buehler will maintain his attacking style on the mound, but with a more diverse repertoire of pitches.
Buehler’s return comes at a crucial time for the Dodgers’ rotation, which has been led by Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the early part of the season. Glasnow boasts a 5-1 record with a 2.72 ERA in his first seven starts, while Yamamoto has extended his scoreless streak to 15 innings with a 1.64 ERA. However, beyond these two, the Dodgers have faced inconsistency with pitchers like James Paxton, Bobby Miller, and Gavin Stone. The return of Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May from injuries later in the season is expected to provide additional support to the rotation.
Overall, Buehler’s return will bolster the Dodgers’ pitching staff, adding depth and experience to a rotation that has faced challenges in the early part of the season. His previous success at the MLB level and strong performances in recent rehab outings signal a positive outlook for his upcoming start. With additional reinforcements on the horizon in Kershaw and May, the Dodgers are poised to strengthen their pitching arsenal as they aim to contend for another postseason run. Roberts’ confidence in Buehler’s ability to adapt his approach post-surgery further augments the team’s optimism for his return to the mound.
