Walker Buehler pitched 5.1 innings for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Baseball Club on Thursday night in what was expected to be the final start of his rehab assignment before returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Buehler allowed just one run and one hit — a solo homer — while finishing with three walks and five strikeouts. Buehler walked the first batter of the game but proceeded to retire the next 13 in a row. The streak was snapped on the solo home run allowed with one out in the fifth inning.
Buehler threw 85 pitches (48 strikes) and reached the sixth inning for the first time during his rehab assignment. He has been on the 15-day injured list since June 19 because of right hip inflammation.
Across three rehab starts for Oklahoma City, Buehler allowed a combined nine runs on 16 hits, and had 14 strikeouts over 12.2 innings.
Shortly after being put on the injured list, Buehler went to Cressey Sports Performance in Florida in effort to correct various issues that plagued his return from a second career Tommy John surgery. He remained in contact with Dodgers pitching coaches during that time.
Buehler then rejoined the team at Dodger Stadium for a homestand last month and threw an encouraging bullpen session.
“Walker looked really good. What stood out for me was the fastball, the life to the fastball. The delivery to most people’s eyes doesn’t look different, but I think the delivery was cleaned up,” Roberts said at the time.
“More efficient, consistent. Command was good with the fastball. The secondary was fine. It was a good ‘pen, so we’ll kind of circle up and figure out what’s next for Walker. Today was a good day for Walker. It was an aggressive ‘pen.”
Buehler began his rehab assignment three days later.
Next step for Walker Buehler
Buehler’s impending return to the Dodgers rotation comes at an opportune time as Friday marks the start of the team playing 13 games in a row without an off day.
If Buehler is kept on normal rest, he could slot back into the Dodgers rotation as early as Tuesday, against the Milwaukee Brewers. The more likely scenario may be Wednesday in the third game at American Family Field.
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