Los Angeles Dodgers ace Walker Buehler hasn’t started a game in MLB since June 10.
The right-handed Buehler had a bone spur removed from his elbow that month, and was diagnosed with a flexor strain.
That ailment put a hold on his rest-of-the-season outlook, and left the Dodgers scrambling for solutions to plug in the rotation.
However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had some good news to share on Buehler’s arm on Friday.
“Dave Roberts on Walker Buehler: ‘Talked to Walker today and everything I hear from the training staff and Walker specifically, everything is trending in the right direction. So to see him back some time in September, making a start for us, I think we can be cautiously optimistic,'” Matthew Moreno, managing editor at Dodger Blue, tweeted, quoting the skipper.
Dave Roberts on Walker Buehler: "Talked to Walker today and everything I hear from the training staff and Walker specifically, everything is trending in the right direction. So to see him back some time in September, making a start for us, I think we can be cautiously optimistic"
— Matthew Moreno (@MMoreno1015) July 22, 2022
Flexor strains are significant injuries that can often lead to ligament damage, and that’s why teams are always so careful while dealing with them.
Buehler Still Have A Ways To Go
In this case, the Dodgers know they won’t have Buehler back this month or next.
However, September may be a realistic return date for him, all things considered.
It would be an ideal scenario for Los Angeles, as Buehler can be considered a reinforcement in case he comes back strong from the injury.
The tough right-hander has a 4.02 ERA in 65 frames this season.
However, he has been much better over the course of his six-year career, with a sparkling 3.02 ERA and more than a strikeout per inning.
If the Dodgers can give Buehler a couple of starts in September, he should be a fixture in their postseason rotation, and they could be very, very hard to beat.
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