Los Angeles Dodgers Ace is Finally Healthy, Will Return Next Week

The Dodgers have been crushed with pitching injuries dating back to last season. While the team has enough quantity of arms available, they are relying on multiple high-quality pitchers to return at some point this year to boost a World Series run. Buehler will represent the first of those arms to return.

Walker Buehler to Return on Monday

Buehler, a Dodgers 2015 first-round pick, started to blossom into a star earlier this decade. In 2021, the righty finished fourth in the Cy Young Award race thanks to a 2.47 ERA (171 ERA+). Even more impressive, the Kentucky native paired his excellent performance with a solid workload. He tossed 207 2/3 innings across a league-leading 33 starts.

The former top prospect had been a quality contributor in Los Angeles since making his debut in 2017. However, his 2021 dominance looked as if he was finally becoming an elite, front-line ace who would eventually take over for Clayton Kershaw.

Buehler started strong the following year, but began digressing in late May and eventually made his final start on June 10. The injury seemed bleak since the odds of successfully returning from a second Tommy John procedure is significantly less than returning from a first. Buehler saw this last fall, as his September rehab stint was shut down after he struggled to recuperate properly after multiple outings.

Roberts Seems Hopeful That Buehler Will Be as Good as New

“I think he’s going to still be Walker,” Roberts told reporters on Wednesday. “He’s going to be attacking. But I think that there’s attacking with his entire repertoire — I think that in years past, it was a heavy fastball, heavy cutter … I think that Walker has more weapons (now). And I think that’s what my hope is, instead of just trying to bully guys. But again, he’s gonna do what he does.”

For what it’s worth, Buehler has looked good in six minor league rehab starts this season. He has 21 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings and sat in the mid-90s with his fastball in his last start.

Having a good season is crucial for Buehler. Not only can he elevate the Dodgers in a World Series-or-bust year, but Buehler will enter free agency in the offseason. He will be 3o this winter, and this might be his last chance to secure a huge contract.