WATCH: Walker Buehler Debuts New Look in Return to Action with AAA Dodgers
Dodgers All-Star right-hander Walker Buehler is officially back to pitching to live batters in real games.
Buehler is in the middle of his rehab assignment after recovering from his second Tommy John Surgery last year. He tossed 2 perfect innings on Sunday and, as noticed by several fans, debuted a new look windup and delivery.
The new delivery is possibly from his personal deep dive into his mechanics but is also combating the new pitch clock that he has not had to pitch along with. The new delivery is much quicker and not nearly as long of a windup compared to his old delivery.
Many questions were raised about Buehler and his recovery teammate Blake Treinen about not being able to regain the velocity they once tossed, for Buehler, it looks like he hasn’t lost a step.
In 2022 Buehler’s 4-seam fastball averaged 95.2 mph for the season. While the 94.4 average fastball he was throwing today is a little bit slower it is worth noting that Buehler debuted with the Dodgers in 2017 throwing a 4-seam fastball averaging 98.2 mph, so the slight decrease may be expected.
While Buehler threw a healthy two innings, he and Dave Roberts are both expecting Buehler to return to a “starters workload” so any possible call-up to the Los Angeles Dodgers would be after he’s proven he can toss 4-5 innings comfortably.
A return by Buehler would be just what this team needs as Julio Urias will likely be removed from the roster through administrative leave while MLB conducts an investigation into domestic violence charges. Additionally, trade deadline acquisition Lance Lynn got pelted against a possible postseason opponent, the Atlanta Braves.
Any return for Buehler this year would be amazing, but it would be even more impactful if he is able to help win baseball games in October.
Photo Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
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