Walker Buehler Update: Next Rehab Start Planned Before Possibly Joining Dodgers Rotation

Walker Buehler took a major step forward in his recovery from a second Tommy John surgery and flexor tendon repair last week by beginning a Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The right-hander threw 54 pitches over 3.1 innings in his first game action since last starting for the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park on June 10, 2022.

Buehler followed that up by tossing 4.2 scoreless innings in a second rehab start for Oklahoma City. He allowed just two hits and collected six strikeouts while reaching the 65-pitch mark.

Buehler is now scheduled to make a third rehab outing with either OKC or Single-A Rancho Cucamonga before the Dodgers determine his next steps, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:

His next rehab outing will either be back with Oklahoma City or with single-A Rancho Cucamonga. After that, the Dodgers will evaluate where the two-time All-Star right-hander is at in his recovery.

Prior to Buehler beginning his rehab assignment, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the expectation was the right-hander would make around four Minor League starts.

“It’s about building up and fine-tuning all of his pitch mix, so once he gets here, he can go six innings, he can recover well and he feels like he’s equipped to go out there and consistently get Major League hitters out,” Roberts explained.

Initial indications were Buehler would not be activated off the 15-day injured list until some time in May or perhaps even June. However, Roberts revised that projection to note that Buehler was “coming sooner than we anticipated.”

It remains possible Buehler re-joins the team in late April, depending on how his third rehab start goes, but the Dodgers are likely going to remain cautious with him.

Walker Buehler’s velocity

Buehler’s fastball velocity topped out at 95.7 mph and averaged 94.2 mph in his first rehab start with Oklahoma City. The 29-year-old’s fastball averaged 93.8 mph in his second appearance, topping out at 95.9 mph.