With the Los Angeles Dodgers already clinching a postseason berth and home-field advantage in the Wild Card round, the only important thing remaining for them in the regular season is to get all their key players healthy and in a good place to make a World Series run.
The most important player the Dodgers currently have on the 10-day injured list is Walker Buehler. He has been dealing with a blister on his right index finger that limited him to just one start over the past few weeks.
Blisters are tricky for pitchers as typically the more they throw, the worse it gets, which makes it difficult to manage. The Dodgers are certainly well-aware of that challenge after experiencing as much with Rich Hill over multiple seasons.
While Buehler hasn’t been able to pitch for the Dodgers, he has been throwing simulated games at the team’s alternate training site to keep his arm in shape for the postseason.
“I think the plan is for him to pitch on Thursday against the A’s,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
That would give Buehler one start in an actual game before presumably taking the mound in one of the three games in the Dodgers’ Wild Card series. Buehler and Clayton Kershaw, in some order, will be tabbed for Games 1 and 2.
Either Dustin May, Julio Urias or Tony Gonsolin would likely start a potential Game 3 in the first round.
Buehler throws 90 pitches in simulated game
In his final tuneup before returning from the IL, Buehler came out of a simulated game on Saturday feeling healthy.
“Just got word he got up to 90 pitches and came out of it really well. My expectation is it’s a regular start (against Oakland),” Roberts said.
Roberts added that he threw with both the blister covered and uncovered to test how it would feel in a controlled environment. Of the throws, Buehler completed 75 without the blister covered.
“I think it was a little bit of a combo,” he said. “Just kind of making sure we don’t tax it or expose it too much. We’re just trying to protect it.”
There is no question that Buehler has been the Dodgers’ best starting pitcher the last two postseasons, and they will be counting on him heavily again this year.
Buehler has been limited to just seven starts this season though, so hopefully he is healthy and ready to go whenever his name is called.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events and more!
