Dodgers Injury News: Walker Buehler Perfect in Return to the Mound

A successful benchmark for his potential postseason return.

In his long-anticipated return to game action, Dodgers starter Walker Buehler impressed many with his first rehab start back on the Triple-A roster Sunday afternoon. 

Throwing two innings in a true game situation for the first time since undergoing his second Tommy John surgery last year, Buehler's rehab process has gone insanely well after he sat down all six batters he faced with two strikeouts. 

It's usually reserved for homers, but can we please get a YEESH for Walker Buehler's first strikeout? pic.twitter.com/TpvP1LmOzp

— Oklahoma City Baseball Club (@okc_baseball) September 3, 2023

Though concerns about his velocity were voiced among both fans and Dodgers front office representatives, Buehler's fastball reached as high as 96 miles an hour, just a few ticks below his previous form before surgery. 

Such an encouraging update will be a welcome sight for the pitcher, fans and Dave Roberts who is searching for solutions to a rotation that has struggled against the Atlanta Braves in their most recent series outside of Bobby Miller. 

Buehler's postseason heroics have long been detailed and such a return to the 2023 playoff roster after the end to his 2021 and 2022 seasons would instill a lot of confidence in him for his future in the league. 

Though a contract extension with LA will be up for debate due to his age and injury history, Buehler is back on the bump and ready to contribute for the 2023 playoffs should his rehab continue progressing this well. 

After Julio Urias and Lance Lynn equally failed to meet expectations against the potent Braves lineup in their most recent series, introducing Buehler back into the fold would be a great addition to the postseason roster. 

With just a month remaining in the regular season, Buehler's return to the major league roster can't happen until September 18th, but any rehab work with the big league club will do wonders for a ramp up that's been a year in the making. 

Blowing his previous perceived timeline out of the water, seeing Buehler on the mound in October would be the best possible outcome from a frustrating season for the Dodgers rotation.