Dodgers News: Walker Buehler Sets Updated Target Return Date as September 1 Isn’t a Reality
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This week at Chase Field in Arizona, Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler took a big step forward in his comeback from 2022 Tommy John surgery. He threw to hitters (not just Jon Rahm).
Buehler was hitting 92-93 mph on his fastball just under 12 months removed from the second elbow reconstruction of his career. While it was a day of celebration for the pitcher and the team, it also came with the reality that Walker won't be able to hit the aggressive return date he set back in May.
But he might not be that far off.
In a chat with reporters after his mound session on Wednesday, Buehler reset expectations and revised that original statement from May.
“I’ll face professional hitters on September 1, around there I imagine. I don’t know if I’ll be back with the team by then, but all in all, this surgery or second Tommy John [recovery] is 14-18 months and if I step on a field this year, I’ll have blown that out of the water. So, I’m pretty proud of where I am right now. I don’t think September 1 is probably a reality, but I’m hoping sometime in September.”
Via SportsNet LA
The Dodgers and Dave Roberts would welcome Buehler back in any capacity, provided he proves he can get hitters out over the next few weeks. The hope is that the right-hander can plug into the rotation in some capacity, but, given where the calendar is at, that's a tougher task. Still, it's not out of the question.
“The hope is as a starter. That’s the expectation,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday. “I think the question remains how much of a buildup would it be? I think as a starter, there’s more certainty on when you’re gonna be pitching. That’s the routine that he’s used to. So that’s where all of our heads are at.”
Barring any setbacks, the next few weeks can be looked at as a sort of spring training for Buehler, albeit a slower one. Once the training staff deems he's fully cleared to go, it would likely take another 3-4 weeks of outings on a minor league rehab assignment before potentially slotting into the starting rotation.
