Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Goes four-plus in rehab start
Rotowire
Buehler (elbow) was charged with five runs (three earned) over four-plus innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
He permitted seven hits, walked two and struck out five. The line for Buehler wasn't pretty, but keep in mind that the game was pitched at high altitude at Albuquerque, so the results were mostly secondary. Buehler got his pitch count up to 86 and averaged 94.1 mph with his four-seamer, which is down 1.1 mph from what he averaged during the 2022 season prior to Tommy John surgery. It's possible this was Buehler's final rehab start, but that determination hasn't been made yet. He could potentially make his season debut as soon as Tuesday in Arizona.
Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Next rehab outing Wednesday
Rotowire
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Buehler (elbow) will continue his rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
The right-hander covered just 2.2 frames in his previous rehab outing with two runs allowed on four hits and four walks, so he'll require at least one more outing in the minors. Buehler may need to showcase improved command if Wednesday's outing is to be his last of the rehab assignment.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Will continue rehab assignment
Rotowire
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Buehler (elbow) needs at least one more rehab outing before returning to the rotation, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Buehler struggled in his rehab outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out three across 2.2 innings. Roberts noted that Buehler's execution Thursday was "not great," and the right-hander will continue his rehab assignment until his command improves. Landon Knack will stay in the Dodgers' rotation for at least one more start.
Buehler (elbow) allowed two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out three across 2.2 innings in a rehab outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.
Buehler was expected to throw between 80 and 90 pitches, though his struggles with control limited the length of his outing. He particularly struggled with his offspeed and breaking pitches, as he threw 15 combined curveballs and sliders -- only two of which went for strikes. Though the outing wasn't positive, it could come as some consolation that this was Buehler's first time pitching with an automated strike zone, per Oklahoma City Director of Communications Alex Freedman. It's possible that this was Buehler's final rehab outing before rejoining the big-league rotation, but the Dodgers are expected to assess the situation before making a final decision.
Buehler (elbow/hand) is set for make a fourth minor-league rehab start Thursday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Buehler has been working his way back from the Tommy John surgery that he underwent in August 2022. During his most recent rehab outing last Friday with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, Buehler was lifted after two innings due to his right hand being hit by a comebacker, but his early exit has since been deemed precautionary. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that if Buehler is able to reach the 80-to-90-pitch threshold in his upcoming rehab start Thursday, the right-hander will be a strong candidate to return from the 15-day injured list next week to rejoin the big-league rotation. The right-hander hasn't appeared in an MLB game ince suffering the elbow injury over a year and a half ago, but he certainly looks to be on the cusp of his long awaited return to the Dodgers rotation.
Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Fine for next rehab start
Rotowire
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Buehler (elbow/hand) is fine and will make his next rehab start Thursday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Buehler had to be removed from his last rehab start with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday after getting hit in the right hand by a comebacker. It will not keep him from taking his next turn, though, which will likely come with Triple-A Oklahoma City. It had been looking like Buehler's next rehab start would be his last before rejoining the Dodgers' rotation, but he might now be asked to make an additional appearance since his last one was abbreviated.
Buehler will continue his minor-league rehab assignment Friday with a start for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.
It's the third start of Buehler's rehab assignment, and he built up to 65 pitches over 4.2 innings his last time out. The Dodgers will decide whether additional rehab starts are necessary after Friday's outing, and it's possible the right-hander is cleared to make his season debut as early as next week.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Removed from rehab start
Rotowire
Buehler (elbow) was removed from his rehab start at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday after getting hit in the right hand by a comebacker, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Buehler initially remained in the game to complete the second inning, suggesting the damage to his hand may have been minimal, but he was removed ahead of the third. The right-hander threw just 27 pitches Friday after being scheduled for at least 80, so there's a good chance he remains in the minors for an additional rehab start before making his season debut with the Dodgers.
