After missing the entire 2023 season to recover from Tommy John surgery, Walker Buehler is eager to regain his All-Star form and support the Los Angeles Dodgers in their playoff run.
However, his performance this season indicates he still has a long way to go.
Buehler came off the injured list on Wednesday after being out for nearly two months due to right hip inflammation, but he couldn’t hold onto an early 3-0 lead as the Dodgers lost 5-4 to the Milwaukee Brewers.
The two-time All-Star struck out three, walked four batters, and gave up three hits and four runs—one earned—over 3 1/3 innings. The 30-year-old Buehler has a 1-4 record and a 5.58 ERA in nine starts this season.
“I feel closer than I did a couple months ago, but as I’ve said, at the end of the day, there’s a standard of performing here, and I’m very aware of where I’m kind of at in that standard,” Buehler said. “Keep plugging away.
‘Wish’ isn’t the right word, or ‘hope,’ but keep hopefully doing the right things and it will come together.”
Buehler finished ninth in the NL Cy Young Award voting in 2019 and fourth two years later, earning All-Star Game selections both seasons. However, his 2022 season ended in June when he needed Tommy John surgery.
He missed all of last season while recovering and is now working to return to his previous level of performance.
“I’ve been out a long time but also been healthy and throwing a long time, so there’s not a ton of excuses I have for it other than I keep trying this and that and this and that and haven’t found kind of what sticks,” Buehler said.
His performance on Wednesday showed his recent struggles.
Buehler walked the first three batters he faced. He managed to get out of that inning without allowing any runs, thanks to a significant play by center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, who caught a fly ball from William Contreras and made a 99-mph throw to the plate to retire Brice Turang and complete a double play.
But he allowed three runs in the following inning, which tied the game. Jake Bauers hit a home run to right field in the second inning when Buehler missed his target and threw the pitch too high and inside.
“Just from the eye test, he was out of sync tonight,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think his throw was inconsistent and obviously the delivery inconsistent. He didn’t get strike one very often tonight.
He was working behind hitters. Then you’re trying to find your way back into counts. It’s hard to live like that.” Buehler understands this well.
“There’s just too many misfires,” Buehler said. “There’s just too many holes in my delivery in terms of where little things can go wrong.”
This was Buehler’s first major league appearance since June 18 due to his hip issue. In three rehab appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Buehler allowed nine earned runs over 12 2/3 innings.
The NL West-leading Dodgers hope Buehler can return to his top form as they deal with injuries that have affected their pitching depth this season. The latest issue was announced on Tuesday, with River Ryan set to have Tommy John surgery next week.
Buehler sees some improvement. He feels he has been performing better in warmups and bullpen sessions. Now he needs to show that in actual games.
“He’s still searching,” Roberts said.
