Dodgers Worried About Walker Buehler’s Execution With Pitches

Walker Buehler is moving closer toward returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation, but hit a bump in the road Thursday that pushed his timeline back.

Buehler was potentially going to be activated following his fourth rehab start, depending on how that went, but he lasted just 2.2 innings while walking four hitters and giving up four runs on four hits.

“I’m anxious to talk to him,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I haven’t talked to him yet. There were some walks in there, got the pitch count up, up and down three times.

“So my expectation is he’ll make another one on Wednesday, whether it’s with that Double-A club or Triple-A club.”

When Roberts was asked how Buehler’s pitch execution has been over his rehab starts, the manager gave a very blunt answer. “Not great,” he replied.

Roberts said the core of Buehler’s issues have been his command, which was evident by the right-hander throwing strikes on just 34 of 68 pitches in his most recent rehab start.

While there’s a desire for improvement, Roberts isn’t worried at this point.

“Not concerning,” Roberts said. “He hasn’t pitched in a long time. But when you’re on the heels of pitching for us, you’ve got to be good.”

Buehler’s stuff has also been down with decreased spin rate on pitches from his career norms, and he has not had the same swing and miss.

Still, Roberts has confidence Buehler will be back and “dial it in” before he returns.

“I don’t know the reason. We’ll find out,” Roberts said. “I’ll talk to the pitching guys. We’re on the precipice of him getting back with us and finishing out the season.”

When will Walker Buehler return to Dodgers rotation?

With Buehler making another rehab start, he could return to the Dodgers rotation if that one goes well. If it doesn’t he may need another one before re-joining the club.

“I think one outing will be sufficient,” Roberts answered when asked if Buehler needs more than one good outing before returning. “We’ve just got to kind of build him up. We’ve got to get there.”

In the meantime, the Dodgers will give Landon Knack at least one more start and continue with bullpen games.