Walker Buehler’s Elbow Injury Changed Dodgers Pitcher’s Perspective on Free Agency
The Dodgers will be getting starting pitcher Walker Buehler back at some point this season, most likely in May. He missed the entire 2023 season while recovering from another Tommy John surgery, so the team has been cautious with his return to the mound.
Luckily for the Dodgers, they have quite enough healthy arms to hold down the fort until Buehler returns. The front office made the starting rotation a priority this offseason after seeing multiple issues throughout last season.
Buehler will be a free agent at the end of the year, but he isn’t worrying about that. He spoke about his looming free agency, but how his mindset has shifted after going through multiple injuries.
“I think when I first came up, that’s the goal – get to free agency. But I don’t necessarily think that it means what you think it means when you’re 22, 24 years old. To me, I feel very fortunate that this is my seventh season. Not because that means I get to free agency but because it’s another year that I get to wear a uniform and play. Maybe the injury changes the perspective on that a little bit – especially with last year being the first time I was like, ‘No, I’m going to do this’ and it didn’t work. There’s a little more fragility in your mind than probably there used to be.”
Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler, via the Southern California News Group
All Buehler wants is to get back to being the dominant pitcher that he was before his latest injury. Buehler had become one of the better starting pitching in the league, so he is looking forward to getting himself back to that spot.
“But now – look, I just want to be good and win. I’ve made money. My family is pretty comfortable. I think at some point those numbers are more ego than anything.”
Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler, via the Southern California News Group
He understands that if he can do that, the money from free agency will work itself out. For now, he is worrying about helping this team win another World Series entering this crucial year.
The Dodgers’ slow playing his return is to make sure he is ready to go for the stretch run of the season. He brings tremendous value as a postseason pitcher based on his history, so the team isn’t rushing him back at all.
Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
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