Walker Buehler Struggles In Likely Final Rehab Start

Walker Buehler struggled in what was potentially his final rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday before rejoining the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation.

The right-hander faced 21 batters and allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits in four innings of work. Buehler struck out five batters and issued two walks on 86 pitches, which are the most he’s thrown since beginning his rehab assignment.

Buehler’s results should be taken with a grain of salt as he pitched in the hitter-friendly Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isptopes Park. The Dodgers had been deciding between Buehler starting for OKC on the road in Albuquerque, or for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers at home.

One factor in the decision-making process was Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park utilizing the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS). It was used in one of Buehler’s previous starts and again on Wednesday.

“He was kind of taken aback, because I guess on certain days they do it and then they don’t do it,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained of Buehler’s outing on April 18. “He was kind of confused.”

All but one of Buehler’s five rehab starts have come with the Oklahoma City Baseball Club. In his April 12 start for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, he completed just two innings because of being hit in the right hand/knuckles by a comebacker.

Buehler has gone 0-2 with a 4.86 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 16.2 innings pitched between the two Dodgers’ Minor League affiliates.

Buehler may now be primed to see his first big league action since June 10, 2022, when he injured his elbow in a start against the San Francisco Giants that required a second Tommy John surgery and flexor tendon repair.

Walker Buehler bobblehead day at Dodger Stadium

Buehler was present for his bobblehead day at Dodger Stadium last week, which saw his wife McKenzie throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The Buehlers were joined on the field by their daughter, Finley Wren, who was born this past January.