Dodgers' Walker Buehler Taking Another Step Toward Return to MLB

This is good news for the boys in blue...

Walker Buehler / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

All of Dodgers Nation got a major scare earlier this week.

In what could've been his last rehab start before rejoining the Dodgers, Walker Buehler got hit in his pitching hand by a line drive. Shaking his hand after the initial impact, Buehler ended up leaving the game — curling the fan base and the front office into a ball of anxiety.

Buehler, by all accounts, has looked very good in his efforts to get back to the stage where he was once among the best pitchers in baseball.

In the wake of this incident, some worried he would prolong his reemergence even further. Perhaps to alleviate the concerns of many, Buehler took to Instagram and gave us all an update on his injury.

Walker Buehler takes to his Instagram to share a BIG injury update after taking a ball to his pitching hand 🙏 pic.twitter.com/QgPKW1T7OA

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) April 14, 2024

The fact Buehler will make another start right away is an obvious positive. Neither the player nor ballclub wanted to see his eventual debut for this year be further complicated or put off.

There's also the aspect of the Dodgers really needing Buehler to come in and help the rotation rather quickly.

Walker Buehler’s pitching hand was hit by a ball today during his third rehab start of the year.

He took some time to shake it off and got it checked out before he continued playing.

Tough as nails 🚨 pic.twitter.com/MyM1JTO65j

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) April 13, 2024

Injuries and unexpected issues happen all the time, and the Dodgers are no strangers to volatility within their roster. This is especially the case when it comes to their starting rotation.

Off-the-field transgressions ended the relationship between the Dodgers and both Julio Urias and Trevor Bauer. Shohei Ohtani is still a year away from taking the bump at Dodger Stadium. Tony Gonsolin is unlikely to pitch this year. Dustin May and Clayton Kershaw are still months away from competing against big league hitters. Emmet Sheehan also has yet to pitch this season. Prospect River Ryan might be able to help the Dodgers later this year, but he's on the minor league injured list recovering from shoulder fatigue.

More recently, Bobby Miller has been sidelined with shoulder irritation, creating an immediate opening in the rotation. The Dodgers are likely to throw a bullpen game this week in his stead.

For all of those reasons -- aside from the fact he's a super talent -- the Dodgers want Buehler back ASAP.