May 6, 2024, marked the long-awaited return of powerhouse pitcher, Walker Buehler, to the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation. The anticipated start has been 22 months in the making.
After his nearly two-year absence from the mound due to Tommy John surgery, Buehler now has two starts under his belt for the 2024 season. Both of his appearances were less than satisfactory for the caliber of athlete he has proven to be. His outing on May 12, 2024, against the talented San Diego Padres lineup proved to be a challenge as he was not ready to go right out of the gate.
Los Angeles is hoping the addition of Buehler to an already elite Los Angeles pitching staff will add the necessary depth to increase their standing in the National League West.
Will Buehler be able to turn around his shaky start and be an asset to the team once again?
Buehler’s Return Against The Miami Marlins
Buehler took the mound vs. the struggling Miami Marlins last Monday night. The Marlins, now 11-31 on the year, are in last place in the NL East. Buehler put in four innings of work while registering four strikeouts. Buehler also allowed six hits and three earned runs against Miami in his long-awaited return.
The game began with a leadoff infield single from Jazz Chisholm Jr., leading to a two-run inning for Miami. The scoring did not stop there for the Marlins. In the second inning, Nick Gordon crushed a solo shot to right field just over the glove of Andy Pages.
Buehler then tossed two shutout innings, throwing a total of 77 pitches in his season debut. His ERA on the day was 6.75.
San Diego’s Tough Lineup Gave Los Angeles Trouble
Mother’s Day marked the second appearance for Buehler this season against the San Diego Padres. The Padres are continuously the Dodgers’ biggest rival, only 5.5 games back of them with a record of 22-21.
The scoring began with back-to-back home runs from Padres standouts, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jake Cronenworth in the bottom of the first. He tossed 3.1 innings while garnering just two K’s and allowing three earned runs.
The command Buehler had on the mound was less than typical of him. He registered two walks and one hit by pitch, which ultimately led to him exiting the game with bases loaded in the fourth.
Positive Outlook For Los Angeles Moving Forward
Though Buehler did not perform to the highest standard, there were still many positive takeaways for the Dodgers. He was able to deliver quality pitches and get ahead early in counts while throwing at his typical high speeds. Each start for Buehler is one step closer to getting him into his pre-injury state that has been so effective for Los Angeles.
The Dodgers return to action against their historic rivals, the San Fransisco Giants this week in a three-game series.
About The Author
Rebekah Cook is a sports journalist from North Carolina who specializes in Major League Baseball. She is a recent graduate from the University of South Carolina Aiken where she worked in the athletic department covering all sports through her writing. An avid sports fan, Rebekah has played softball for 16 years, including at the collegiate level. Sports Journalism has been her passion for nearly 10 years.
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