Buehler isn't expected to pitch in Game 2 of the NLCS on Monday as the Dodgers opt for a bullpen game, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Manager Dave Roberts said that the Dodgers' bullpen usage in Game 1 would determine whether Buehler would start Game 2. With Jack Flaherty throwing seven scoreless innings in the series opener, the Dodgers have the luxury of throwing a bullpen game Monday. Buehler will likely slot in as the team's Game 3 starter, though that hasn't been confirmed.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Starting status for Game 2 uncertain
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Manager Dave Roberts explained Sunday that Buehler's likelihood of starting Game 2 of the NLCS versus the Mets could depend on how heavily the team deploys the bullpen in Game 1, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.
Jack Flaherty will take the mound for the Dodgers in Game 1 on Sunday, and it sounds like Los Angeles will try to get decent depth from him. If the right-hander isn't able to go very deep and the bullpen gets heavy use, it appears the Dodgers will start Buehler on Monday in Game 2. On the other hand, if the bullpen is mostly spared in Game 1, Los Angeles may opt for a bullpen game Monday -- a strategy that was key in helping the team come back from a 2-1 deficit against San Diego in the NLDS. Buehler started Game 3 in that series and took the loss, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk without striking out a batter over five frames.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Set to start Game 3
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Buehler is expected to start Game 3 of the NLDS versus the Padres on Tuesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Buehler will toe the rubber in Game 3 after producing a 4.44 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 25 strikeouts over 26.1 innings in five starts in September. The right-hander owns a 2.94 ERA with 101 strikeouts over 79.2 innings in 15 career postseason starts. He'll look to bring his best stuff Tuesday with the series knotted up at one game apiece.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Solid over five frames
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Buehler did not factor into the decision in a win over the Padres on Thursday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out one.
Buehler avoided much damage despite allowing at least one hit in four of his five innings of work. It marked the fifth consecutive start in which he was able to get through at least five innings, and he's allowed one run or fewer in two of his last three outings. Buehler did, however, post just one strikeout in Thursday's no-decision after fanning a season-high nine batters in his previous trip to the mound.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Season-high nine strikeouts in loss
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Buehler (1-6) took the loss against the Rockies on Saturday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out nine.
Buehler struggled early, allowing a leadoff double to Charlie Blackmon to open the game followed by a walk to Ezequiel Tovar. The right-hander allowed one run in the frame, along with two more runs on a Tovar double in the following inning. Buehler did manage to get through five innings for the fourth consecutive start but not before allowing four or more runs for the second time in his last three outings. He now carries a 5.06 ERA in September through four starts, though his nine strikeouts Saturday did mark a season high for the 30-year-old.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Completes six frames
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Buehler did not factor into the decision in Sunday's win over Atlanta, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and five walks while striking out five over six innings.
The five walks were not ideal for Buehler, who had three walks in the third inning, which contributed to two runs for Atlanta in the frame. Overall, he had one of his better outings of the season. It was his first time since May 31 reaching six innings and his second time over the last six starts allowing fewer than three earned runs. Buehler now owns a 5.54 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 54:26 K:BB in 65 innings and will look to keep the momentum going in his next start against Colorado over the weekend.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Activated ahead of start
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Buehler (hip) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start against the Brewers on Wednesday.
Right hip inflammation forced Buehler onto the injured list June 19, but he's now set to return to the Dodgers rotation for the first time in nearly two months. During his rehab assignment, the 30-year-old righty allowed nine earned runs in 12.2 innings across three starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City, though he gave up only one run in 5.1 frames during his most recent outing. Landon Knack was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Eyeing Thursday return
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Buehler (hip) could rejoin the rotation during next week's four-game road series against Milwaukee, with Aug. 15 being the current target date, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Buehler made what is assumed to be his final rehab start Thursday, tossing 5.1 innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City and yielding one run on one hit with five Ks. The 29-year-old got up to 85 pitches and shouldn't be expected to have a pitch count once he rejoins the big-league rotation. The right-hander hasn't pitched for the Dodgers since June 18 due to right hip inflammation.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Needs another rehab start
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Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Buehler (hip) will make one more rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Buehler has struggled mightily in his last two rehab outings, giving up eight earned runs in 7.1 innings while striking out nine batters and walking five. His next outing will most likely be his final appearance in the minors, regardless of his performance, though he could be relegated to the bullpen if he's unable to turn things around.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Inefficient again
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Buehler (hip) threw 3.1 innings while allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six during a rehab outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Buehler needed 86 pitches to record 10 outs, as he continued to struggle with his control. Positively, he did manage to strike out six, a significant increase from his first rehab appearance Friday. It's possible that the Dodgers activate him for his next turn through the rotation, though they could also opt to give him another outing in the minors in hopes of him throwing strikes more consistently.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Struggles in rehab start
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Buehler (hip) allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three batters over four innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.
Buehler is trying to get right after struggling with Los Angeles over eight major-league starts across May and June and subsequently landing on the IL with right hip inflammation. The right-hander wasn't exactly in peak form Friday, as he gave up two runs in the first inning and four overall while also allowing five stolen bases in four frames. Buehler threw 72 pitches (45 for strikes), so he seems to be ready to handle a sizable workload, and the plan has been for him to return to the big-league Dodgers' rotation after one more rehab appearance. It remains to be seen if that will be the case should Buehler struggle again in his next start with OKC.
Buehler (hip) said Wednesday that he will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Buehler added that he felt good following his bullpen session Tuesday, so he will now advance to facing minor-league hitters. The plan is for the 29-year-old right-hander to rejoin the Dodgers' rotation once he's made two rehab starts in Triple-A, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, putting Buehler in line to return sometime during the Dodgers' early-August series against the Phillies.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Tossing bullpen Monday
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Buehler (hip) will throw a bullpen session Monday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Manager Dave Roberts said he had a positive conversation with Buehler following his time away from the club while on the mend from right hip inflammation. While there's no set plan for the next steps in Buehler's recovery, the right-hander is expected to make a couple rehab starts following Monday's side session.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Roughed up Tuesday, could go on IL
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Buehler took a no-decision in Tuesday's 11-9 win over the Rockies after allowing seven earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two over four innings. According to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times, manager Dave Roberts said after the game that Buehler could go on the injured list after taking a comebacker off his hip earlier in the contest.
Buehler has struggled at times this season since he returned from Tommy John surgery, and a trip to Coors Field did him no favors for getting on track. He's struck out three or fewer batters in each of his last three starts, and Tuesday marked the third time this season he's given up multiple home runs in an outing. Buehler is now sitting on a 5.84 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 31:10 K:BB with 10 home runs allowed over 37 innings across eight starts. He's tentatively in line to make his ninth start next Monday or Tuesday on the road versus the White Sox, his status is in flux due to the hip issue, which didn't force him out of his start against the Rockies but may nonetheless be reason enough for the Dodgers to put him on ice for a bit. Expect Roberts to provide more information on Buehler's status in the coming days.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Tagged with loss Wednesday
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Buehler (1-4) allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out two over five innings, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Rangers.
Buehler gave up a three-run home run to Corey Seager in the fifth inning, and that ended up being the difference in this game. This was the sixth time in seven outings that Buehler has allowed at least three runs. He's likely still working on getting into a groove after an extended absence following his August 2022 Tommy John surgery. The right-hander has a 4.64 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB over 33 innings so far. He'll have a tough task in his next start, which is projected to be at Colorado.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Struggles in abbreviated start
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Buehler didn't factor into the decision Thursday against Pittsburgh, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and a walk over three innings. He struck out three.
After needing 78 pitches to get through three frames, Buehler didn't come out for the fourth, marking the 29-year-old's shortest start of 2024. He surrendered a two-run home run to Nick Gonzales in the third inning, the right-hander's seventh long ball allowed in 28.0 innings. Buehler's been shaky since returning from Tommy John surgery, yielding exactly three runs in five of his six starts this season to fuel a 4.82 ERA. He's lined up for a home start against the Rangers on Wednesday.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Loses to Rockies
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Buehler (1-3) allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks while striking out seven over six innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Rockies.
Buehler gave up three runs in the third inning and a solo home run to Ezequiel Tovar in the fourth. While it wasn't a particularly sharp outing for Buehler, the Dodgers failed to support him with just five hits and two walks. He has two quality starts in five outings since returning from Tommy John surgery. Buehler is at a 4.32 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 24:7 K:BB over 25 innings this season. He's projected to make his next start on the road versus the Pirates.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Takes loss in Cincinnati
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Buehler (1-2) took the loss to the Reds on Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four over 5.2 innings.
Buehler didn't have his best stuff in this one, as evidenced by the fact that he induced only six swings and misses on 91 pitches and also served up a pair of solo homers. It was a step backward from his previous outing, but this was just his third start back from Tommy John surgery, and ups and downs are to be expected after the long layoff. The 29-year-old righty will take a 4.26 ERA and 1.21 WHIP into his next start, which lines up for next weekend at home against the Rockies.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Gives up two home runs
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Buehler (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the Padres, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two in 3.1 innings.
The majority of the damage against Buehler came in the opening frame when Fernando Tatis and Jake Cronenworth smoked back-to-back solo home runs. Buehler would later exit with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth and was charged with an additional run. He struggled with his command in another abbreviated start, throwing 45 of 77 pitches for strikes, and generated only five whiffs. Buehler will carry a 7.36 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB over 7.1 innings into a meeting with the Reds.
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Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Mixed results in season debut
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Buehler allowed three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out four batters over four innings in a no-decision against Miami on Monday.
Buehler had a favorable matchup in his first major-league start since mid-June of 2022, as he squared off against the team with the third-worst record in baseball. That didn't seem to matter early, though, as the Marlins jumped on the right-hander for a pair of first-inning runs on a trio of singles. However, Buehler's fastball velocity averaged a solid 96.6 mph in the frame, per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register, which foreshadowed him settling down to allow just one more run over the remainder of his outing. Not surprisingly, the 29-year-old wasn't pushed too hard in his return to the majors, as he was pulled after 77 pitches and four frames rather than being allowed to complete the fifth and qualify for the win. Assuming Buehler comes out of the start without any setbacks, Monday's outing will likely serve as a foundation on which he can build up to a higher pitch count moving forward. He's tentatively lined up to make his next start on the road in San Diego this weekend.
