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Red Sox Make Walker Buehler Decision Amid Injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sam Bernardi | Last updated May 2, 2025 4:32 PM ET

The Boston Red Sox await crucial news as starting pitcher Walker Buehler undergoes testing on his sore right shoulder. Hunter Dobbins is expected to start on Saturday, according to Chris Cotillo of Mass Live.

Buehler’s injury is the latest development for a staff that has been hampered by injuries.

Brayan Bello made a belated debut after starting the season on the 15-day injured list with a shoulder sprain. Kutter Crawford, who has yet to make an appearance this season, is also on the 15-day IL with a knee injury. Lucas Giolito also just recently made his Red Sox start after being sidelined with hamstring issues.

Buehler, who signed a one-year, $21.05 million deal with Boston this offseason, was not given much term partially due to his injury history.

In August of 2022, he underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2023 season. Last year, while still recovering from TJ, Buehler experience hip and shoulder problems and was limited to just 16 starts and 75 and 1/3 innings.

When he is healthy, he is one of the more dominant pitchers in baseball, with a career 3.31 ERA and 3.54 FIP over 747 and 1/3 innings. However, the latest hiccup puts Boston and Buehler in a familiar predicament.

On the bright side, Dobbins will have another opportunity to prove himself as a Big Leaguer. The team’s No. 14 prospect has impressed in his first two starts. Over 11 innings, Dobbins has allowed four runs (three earned) on 11 hits, two walks, and one home run. While he needs to lower those hit totals, he also has 11 strikeouts, a 2.45 ERA, and a 3.06 FIP.

Dobbins is not Buehler, and the rookie is unlikely to sustain these numbers, but he has still shown swing-and-miss stuff and could wind up being more than a stopgap.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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