The Los Angeles Dodgers rotation took a significant hit last month when Walker Buehler was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right forearm strain.
An MRI revealed the right-hander sustained a strained right flexor tendon that required him to refrain from throwing for six to eight weeks. Already facing a prolonged recovery process, Buehler underwent arthroscopic surgery on June 13 to remove a bone spur from his right elbow.
He has since been transferred to the 60-day IL. The operation did not impact Buehler’s timeline for a return, and the Dodgers remain optimistic he will be able to pitch again this season.
“Talked to Walker [on Thursday] and everything I hear from the training staff and Walker specifically, everything is trending in the right direction,” manager Dave Roberts said.
“So to see him back at some point in time in September, making a start for us, I think we can be cautiously optimistic.”
Roberts added that the Dodgers believe Buehler will have enough time to build up as a starter. “We do,” Roberts said. “I don’t think it’s going to be a six (innings) and 90 (pitches), but if all things go well, it should be enough to warrant him starting Major League games.”
Buehler is scheduled to take a notable step forward in his recovery on Monday when he begins a throwing program. That is expected to be in the form of Buehler playing a round of catch at low intensity.
Dodgers won’t rush decision on Buehler
Roberts revealed the Dodgers won’t make an early decision in regard to Buehler’s ability to build up as a starter. “I think it’s more of let’s kind of each step continue to work through the progression,” Roberts said.
“I don’t think it’s fair to Walker or us to put us in that situation to say this or that, all or nothing. So it’s kind of as each passing week goes by, it’s where we’re at. The hope is he’ll be ready and continue to build up through the postseason.”
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