Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler is back on the mound nearly two years after undergoing an operation for his Tommy John surgery. While he pitched four innings during their victory over the Miami Marlins, he’s nowhere near the pitcher who won 16 games out of 33 starts in 2021.
In his short stint for the Dodgers, Buehler surrendered six hits and three runs while striking out for batters. He was the Dodgers’ pitcher when the Marlins scored those runs in the first two innings.
WALKER BUEHLER’S NIGHT IS OVER
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) May 7, 2024
4 Innings Pitched
77 Pitches
4 Strikeouts
3 Earned Runs
So nice to see him back! pic.twitter.com/inqD7KC6b9
However, the Dodgers earned their 24th victory in 37 games by scoring six runs in the first three innings, courtesy of Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, James Outman, and Teoscar Hernandez. Meanwhile, Ryan Yarbrough earned the win after giving up just one hit in three innings.
Before this game, Buehler last pitched an MLB game against the San Francisco Giants on June 10, 2022. He left the game after feeling discomfort in his pitching elbow, leading to arthroscopic surgery and his second Tommy John surgery.
While the operation had him sidelined for the 2023 season, the Dodgers signed him to an $8.03 million contract to avoid arbitration. In his last full season, Buehler earned an All-Star selection thanks to a 2.47 ERA and 212 strikeouts in 207.2 innings.
In seven seasons with the Dodgers, Buehler has a 46-16 record, a 3.04 ERA, and 694 strikeouts in 642.1 innings. He finished as high as fourth place in the National League Cy Young Award voting.
-Lance Fernandez