The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a bit of a scare on Thursday as top prospect Walker Buehler missed workouts to undergo further tests due to a possible complication with his physical exam.
What is exactly was wrong is unknown, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that it was not an issue with his arm, which has to be considered a positive since he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015.
The Dodgers received some more positive news on Friday, as Buehler was able to return to workouts after undergoing what has now been revealed were blood tests, according to Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA:
After going through additional blood work to complete physical, @buehlersdayoff, is working out today. #DodgersST
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) February 16, 2018
Buehler was already expected to be limited this spring and into the season in what is his second full season coming back from the elbow surgery.
In 2017, Buehler spent time between three Minor League levels and the big leagues, throwing a career-high 98 innings. He fared much better on the Minor League side, as he yielded a 3.35 ERA and 1.11 WHIP while striking out 125 and walking 31 in 88.2 innings across 28 games (19 starts).
After being called up and making his Major League debut in September, Buehler did not fare as well in a relief role that he was not accustomed to. He gave up 11 hits and eight runs in 9.1 innings (7.71 ERA) while striking out 12 and walking eight.
Buehler’s limitations are expected to be during the spring and at the beginning of the season so they don’t have to shut him down in the latter part of the season.
He should be able to provide some valuable starting pitching depth to a team that lost some depth this offseason with the departures of Yu Darvish, Brandon McCarthy and Scott Kazmir.
