The Los Angeles Dodgers are trying something new with Walker Buehler, who’s a disappointing 1-4 with a 6.09 ERA in 10 starts this season: they are delaying his next start.
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Sunday afternoon before the team’s 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays that he is flipping Jack Flaherty and Buehler in the rotation ahead of the series against the Baltimore Orioles.
Roberts wants Buehler to have an extra day of rest, per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya.
The adventures of Buehler have kept the Dodgers on their toes this season, but they can’t afford not to send him back out on the mound.
The Dodgers are flipping Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler in the rotation. Flaherty goes Tuesday, then Buehler on Wednesday. Dave Roberts said they want to give Buehler an extra day.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 25, 2024
“Honestly,” Roberts said, “we don’t have another alternative right now.”
Buehler has been searching for the consistent level of performance he demonstrated before having his second Tommy John surgery. Despite delaying his start to the season, and taking time off to rest and recover from a hip injury, the results have yet to arrive.
His most recent start was more of the same. Against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday, Buehler allowed three earned runs on seven hits in four innings of work. He only struck out one batter.
The former ace of the Dodgers pitching staff knows what he has to do if he wants to factor into their plans beyond the next month.
“We’re trying to get ready for the playoffs and to go and win games,” Buehler said. “It’s kind of time for me to prove that I deserve a place in that. At the end of the day, I’m pretty comfortable with that, in terms of, if I feel like myself, I think I can go.”
Walker Buehler speaks on his upcoming free agency:
“There’s just not a whole lot to talk about, I have a six ERA… Free agency is for talking about when you have a two-five and you’re rolling through the league. I really don’t care.”
(H/T @dylanohernandez) pic.twitter.com/qGva0uKQ62
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) August 21, 2024
“Honestly,” Roberts said, “we don’t have another alternative right now.”
Buehler has been searching for the consistent level of performance he demonstrated before having his second Tommy John surgery.
Despite delaying his start to the season, and taking time off to rest and recover from a hip injury, the results have yet to arrive.
His most recent start was more of the same. Against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday, Buehler allowed three earned runs on seven hits in four innings of work. He only struck out one batter.
The former ace of the Dodgers pitching staff knows what he has to do if he wants to factor into their plans beyond the next month.
“We’re trying to get ready for the playoffs and to go and win games,” Buehler said. “It’s kind of time for me to prove that I deserve a place in that.
At the end of the day, I’m pretty comfortable with that, in terms of, if I feel like myself, I think I can go.”
What if there isn’t room for him in the postseason rotation? Would he understand the decision?
“Yeah,” Buehler said. “You know, it’s not gonna be easy for me and I’m not going to go down lightly.
I feel like I can compete in the major leagues and compete in big games the way I felt today.
Now, it’s kind of honing that in. At the end of the day, there’s a lot of guys that have thrown the ball great and I have full faith in the three or four guys ahead of me at the time.
It is what it is, but I’m not going to cross that bridge until we get there.”
Buehler will also be a free agent after this season but he won’t discuss the subject as he remains focused on making at least one more big start.
Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.
Source: Los Angeles Times (edited)
