Dodgers News: Walker Buehler Gets a Sterling Review from LA Pitching Coach
Dodgers fans should be getting excited as one of the team’s best starters could be making a return soon.
After being sidelined for over a year following 2022 Tommy John surgery, Walker Buehler is progressing towards his Major League comeback. The road back to the Dodgers started today as he threw a bullpen session in San Diego.
According to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, Buehler looks to be back and better than ever.
Also from Plunkett, Buehler actually threw his session at the Titleist Performance Institute. Yes, the golf brand.
If the Dodgers could get half of what Buehler used to be before the playoffs, they could have a solid pitching rotation.
Before his injury, Buehler was a two-time All-Star and the runner-up for the Rookie of the Year in 2018. In 2021, the righty had the second-best ERA in the league.
Things started to go downhill for Buehler at the beginning of the 2022 season. Despite throwing a complete game shutout in April against the Diamondbacks, Buehler was not sharp through the first three months of the season.
Before hitting the injured list in June, Buehler had a career-worst 4.02 ERA and was on pace to walk the most batters in his career.
Hearing the words of encouragement from assistant pitching coach Connor McGuiness should excite Dodgers fans. The team’s pitching has been a weakness all season and no starter has been reliable other than Clayton Kershaw who is currently on the injured list.
Buehler has set a personal return date of September 1, but the team has maintained a little more restraint in circling any day on the calendar.
“You never want to guarantee a date or anything like that,” McGuiness said. “Anything could potentially happen as he goes through it. I think it’s one of those things where if he passes all the proper tests, and our group, with the resources we have, feel good about it, we’ll be ready to rock and roll.”
Via OC Register
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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