Walker Buehler’s Injury Figures to Complicate Dodgers Plan in 2024; GM Reveals Latest

This could make things very interesting...

The Dodgers played the entire 2023 season without one of their more important pitchers, and it ended up hurting them down the stretch. Starting pitcher Walker Buehler missed the season while he was recovering from Tommy John Surgery, but he is expected to make a full return to start 2024.

There was some hope that Buehler could come back at the end of the 2023 year, but that was shut down after a few rehab starts. He didn't suffer any setbacks, but rather just didn't feel he was ready with the playoffs starting soon.

With him coming back, the Dodgers will be banking on him providing his spark to the rotation once again. However, it may come with a catch, as General Manager Brandon Gomes provided an update on Buehler at the GM Meetings.

"It’s something we’ll keep having conversations with him as we get closer to spring.” 2/2

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) November 8, 2023

If Buehler is on an innings restriction throughout the regular season, it only enhances the Dodgers need to aggressively add starting pitching this offseason. The team knows that it can’t replicate the struggles from this past season, so it needs to majorly upgrade.

Buehler should help the team with planning, and the idea of a six-man rotation does come into play. The Dodgers have plenty of talent in the farm system to make this possible, and it could end up being a possibility.

He will be a welcomed sight when he does take the mound, and fans have been waiting to see him pitch again. Buehler became a fan favorite in short order, and he is a crucial member of the Dodgers staff.

The hope is that Buehler can fully return to form next season and pick up where he left off. He will be a free agent at the end of the season, so putting together a solid season could end up netting him a nice payday down the line.