The Los Angeles Dodgers announced ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim that they have activated Walker Buehler from the 10-day disabled list and optioned switch-pitcher Pat Venditte to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Buehler, who was out with a microfracture in his ribs, will return and start Friday night’s game against the Angels at Dodger Stadium. The rehab process for Buehler was an unconventional one as he actually made three starts after suffering the injury before landing on the disabled list.
After missing about three weeks of action, the Dodgers decided to activated Buehler and pitch him out of the bullpen on June 28 against the Chicago Cubs instead of sending him out for a rehab start.
That outing did not go as planned as he gave up five runs in one-plus inning. Buehler then landed back on the disabled list, where he went to High-A Rancho Cucamonga to make a rehab start.
After coming out of that rehab start feeling good and then throwing a simulated game last week in Anaheim, Buehler was deemed healthy enough to return and start before the All-Star break.
Overall in 10 games (nine starts) this season, the rookie is 4-2 with a 3.44 ERA, 2.61 FIP and 1.05 WHIP while striking out 54 and walking 12 in 52.1 innings.
Venditte has been back and forth between Triple-A and the big leagues a few times now, although he did not appear in a game in his most recent stint.
In five Major League appearances this season, Venditte has posted an 8.31 ERA, 5.065 FIP and 2.08 WHIP while striking out four compared to just one walk in 4.1 innings.
He has fared much better with Oklahoma City, going 3-2 with a 1.93 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 13 walks in 37.1 innings.
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