Dodgers don’t want to rush Walker Buehler’s return

Walker Buehler has not pitched in an official Major League game since June 2022 and the Dodgers do not want to rush his return at the start of the season. The right-hander is recovering from his second Tommy John operation and is not yet 100 percent fit to be part of the team’s rotation.

The sensations have been good in Spring Training and he has been progressing in his recovery favorably. A month ago he pitched his first live batting practice when they were at Camelback Ranch and since then he has been improving his velocity launch. Walker Buehler’s fastball hit 97 mph recently and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave an update on the right-handed pitcher.

Next steps for Walker Buehler

“He went four innings for a total of 60 pitches. I thought he threw the ball really well. I think the main thing from this is just getting him stronger and continuing to face hitters.The next step for Walker will be a bullpen in two days, but I thought today was positive for him,” Roberts said prior to Thursday’s game against the Cardinals.

The Dodgers manager referred to the simulated game they had on Monday at Chávez Ravine and Walker Buehler had a good start on the mound. The Los Angeles franchise is in no hurry to bring back the right-handed pitcher since they have Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Bobby Miller, James Paxton, and Gavin Stone in the starting rotation.