Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler will make his extremely anticipated 2024 debut Monday in opposition to the Miami Marlins, supervisor Dave Roberts advised reporters Wednesday in Phoenix. Buehler dazzled in his remaining Triple-A rehabilitation begin Tuesday in Oklahoma Metropolis, and the Dodgers ostensibly determined they’d seen sufficient.
Buehler’s begin in opposition to the Salt Lake Bees marked the primary time he accomplished 5 innings, setting him as much as make a full-length begin in opposition to Miami. His first 5 rehab begins had been uneven at finest, yielding a 4.82 ERA throughout 16.2 innings. Tuesday, he didn’t stroll a batter and struck out seven, and allowed solely three hard-hit balls on 75 pitches.
Now, the Dodgers will hand the ball to Buehler below ultimate circumstances. Not solely has he re-established himself at a decrease stage of competitors, Buehler will make his debut in opposition to one of many main leagues’ worst groups. The Marlins awoke Friday with an 8-24 report, higher than solely the Colorado Rockies amongst Nationwide League golf equipment.
What model of Buehler will the Dodgers be getting again?
“I believe he’s going to nonetheless be Walker,” Roberts advised reporters in Phoenix after the Dodgers’ recreation Wednesday. “He’s going to be attacking. However I believe that there’s an attacking along with his complete repertoire. I believe that in years previous, it was heavy fastball, heavy cutter the place I believe that Walker has extra weapons. And I believe that’s what my hope is, as a substitute of simply attempting to bully guys.”
The Dodgers have already lined up Gavin Stone, Tyler Glasnow, and James Paxton to start out in that sequence this weekend in opposition to the Atlanta Braves. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who’s began on 5 days’ relaxation every of his final two begins, might accomplish that once more subsequent Tuesday. Landon Knack (three begins, 2.81 ERA) capably held down the rotation within the absence of Buehler and Bobby Miller, however he gained’t be eligible to rejoin the rotation till April 11 after being optioned to Triple-A.
Regardless, a Dodgers rotation with Buehler is stronger than one with out. The 29-year-old right-hander is 46-16 with a 3.02 ERA in his profession. His final full wholesome season was 2021, when he went 16-4 with a 2.47 ERA and completed fourth in Nationwide League Cy Younger Award voting.
In 2022, Buehler was 6-3 with a 4.02 ERA when elbow surgical procedure ended his season in June. (Along with his second Tommy John surgical procedure, Buehler had his proper flexor tendon repaired.)
Since then, he’s develop into a father. The Dodgers have modified over most of their pitching workers round him. Followers will little question be desirous to see Buehler 2.0 in motion, turning an unusual recreation in opposition to a nasty staff right into a memorable Monday at Dodger Stadium.
Photograph Credit score: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports activities
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