Dodgers' Walker Buehler Reflects on First Start of 2024

Maren Angus-Coombs | Apr 3, 2024

Walker Buehler made his first minor league rehabilitation start of 2024 for the Oklahoma City Dodgers on Sunday. / D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

In an expletive-lace post on social media, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler made it known that he is on track to being back on the mound in a major league game.

In a since-deleted post on his Twitter/X account, Buehler wrote, "I f****ed it all up but god d**n it was good to be back out there,"

Buehler appeared with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Baseball Club retiring the first seven batters he faced and throwing a total of 54 pitches (31 stikes). He faced 15 batters before exiting the game in the fourth inning. Buehler allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits, including a home run in 3 1/3 innings. He was charged with the loss.

He finished a perfect 12-pitch first inning with this strikeout. Buehler's fastball reportedly averaged 94.2 mph and topped out at 95.7 mph, down about 1 mph from where he was prior to elbow surgery in 2022.

Manager Dave Roberts was hoping Buehler would throw around 60 pitches in his first start since he’s been recovering from Tommy John surgery and a flexor tendon repair in his right elbow. He hasn’t appeared in a game with the Dodgers since June 2022.

Roberts has also mentioned that he wants Buehler to make four rehab starts which would put him on pace for a return sometime in April if all goes well.

Buehler is in a contract year and needs to do well for his own sake. However, he isn’t putting pressure on himself to get another contract, he just wants to get back to feeling like himself and then hopefully, his performance on the field will do the talking for him.

Buehler's next start for the Oklahoma City Dodgers will arrive Saturday.