Walker Buehler made his highly anticipated return to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday after being sidelined for nearly two months. This return followed an injury stint related to hip inflammation and an earlier recovery from Tommy John surgery. However, Buehler’s comeback against the Milwaukee Brewers did not go as planned, as he struggled significantly on the mound.
In his first inning of work, Buehler faced immediate difficulty, walking the bases loaded. He was able to escape the inning thanks to a crucial double play initiated by center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.
Kiermaier’s impressive 99 mph throw from the outfield to home plate, the fastest on an outfield assist since 2015, prevented further runs from scoring. Despite this, Buehler allowed four runs over 3 1/3 innings before being pulled from the game.
Buehler’s performance deteriorated as the game progressed. After giving up a leadoff home run in the second inning and allowing additional runs due to defensive errors and poor pitching, Buehler’s effectiveness continued to wane. He managed a clean third inning but struggled in the fourth, walking another batter and giving up a run before his night ended prematurely.
The final statistics for Buehler’s outing were not favorable: he allowed four runs on three hits, including a home run, and issued four walks while striking out three. His control issues were evident, as he threw 41 balls out of 86 total pitches. Although only one of the runs was earned, the overall performance was disappointing for a pitcher returning from a significant injury.
The Dodgers, currently holding a 2.5-game lead in the NL West, are looking to Buehler to regain his form as they head into the critical part of the season. With rookie River Ryan recently added to the list of injured pitchers requiring Tommy John surgery, Buehler’s successful return and ongoing health are crucial for the team’s playoff aspirations.
