Dodgers Won’t Rush Walker Buehler Back Because Of Bobby Miller Injury
The Los Angeles Dodgers have already suffered a few injuries to their pitching staff, most notably to right-hander Bobby Miller. Miller was placed on the injured list a few days ago due to shoulder inflammation but isn’t expected to be out for too long.
He is hoping to start throwing sometime later this week but there remains no timetable for his eventual return. Even with this injury, the Dodgers aren’t going to rush back right-hander Walker Buehler. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reiterated the plan for Buehler.
“I don’t think it does (change that plan),” Roberts said. “I think that, most important is Walker’s health and the progression for him versus just reacting to Bobby Miller. I think that it was an abbreviated outing his last one, so for him to be able to get to 80-85 pitches on Thursday, then we can sort of have a real conversation about how he fits.”
Per Dave Roberts via The OC Register
Buehler has been working his way back from his second Tommy John surgery, completing multiple rehab starts of late. The right-hander is expected to be back with the team soon, with Roberts saying that Buehler was “very close” to returning to a major league mound last week.
Los Angeles plans to use their depth across the organization to manage things while both Miller and Buehler work their way back. The team is planning to call up pitching prospect Landon Knack later this week, giving them more arms to work with.
So far this year, Knack has posted an ERA of 4.02 in three starts while in Triple-A. It seems that the injury to Miller expedited the debut of Knack, but the team also will get to see what he can do.
Los Angeles doesn’t need to force Buehler or Miller back and is better off allowing them to get healthy. The front office built strong depth within their pitching staff, even if it’s already being tested much earlier than anyone would have guessed.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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