Los Angeles Dodgers fans have reason to celebrate as Walker Buehler’s return to the pitching mound draws near, following an announcement by Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts on Wednesday, as reported by Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. This marks a significant moment for the Dodgers and their supporters, as Buehler’s absence has felt like an eternity. While it’s uncertain how Buehler will perform in his first major league game in almost two years, anticipation is high for his comeback. Buehler will face an initial test in the 2024 MLB season against one of the league’s weakest offensive teams, the Marlins, who currently rank 25th overall with a .223 batting average and second-worst with a .609 OPS.
In preparation for Buehler’s return, the Dodgers opted to send Landon Knack back to the minors, assigning him to the Oklahoma City Baseball Club on Tuesday, thereby creating an opening in the team’s rotation.
Before beginning a three-game series at home against the Marlins, the Dodgers will first contend with the Atlanta Braves in another three-game set at Dodger Stadium, commencing this Friday.
Walker Buehler’s return has Los Angeles fans hyped
Buehler’s last stint in the majors was in the 2022 season, where during a June game against the San Francisco Giants, he experienced discomfort in his elbow and had to leave the match. This injury led to surgery that ended his season, compounded by his second Tommy John surgery, from which he diligently recovered. While there are doubts about his immediate effectiveness on the mound for Los Angeles, Dodgers fans are relieved to finally see him return after a prolonged absence.
@sapphiregman expressed gratitude, seeking some positive news following disappointing performances by the Kings. @b_kawucha anticipated Buehler’s return, not expecting top-tier performance immediately but eager to witness his comeback. @DS11dodnine shared excitement for Walker’s return, acknowledging his hard work. @azzul0905 expressed enthusiasm for seeing him back in action.
Buehler had opportunities to play in the minors in September, but it wasn’t until after the conclusion of the 2024 Spring Training that he could participate in competitive games again. In a combined six outings with Oklahoma City and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, he recorded a 5.40 ERA and a 1.615 WHIP, allowing 10 earned runs on 13 hits, including three home runs, over 21.2 innings. He’s expected to require some time to regain his pre-injury form, but it’s reassuring for LA fans to know that he’s physically prepared to return to the big leagues.
Dodgers pitching in 2024
The addition of the two-time All-Star will bring more firepower to the Los Angeles rotation in 2024, which is currently anchored by Tyler Glasnow and features standout rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Yamamoto has been particularly impressive recently, boasting a 2-0 record and a 1.50 ERA over his last three starts, with a 1.11 WHIP over 18.0 innings. Meanwhile, Glasnow has been solid with a 5-1 record, a 2.72 ERA, and a 0.93 WHIP across seven starts this season. Collectively, the Dodgers’ starting pitchers have compiled a 3.62 ERA, ranking eighth among all major league teams.
