Walker Buehler successful in minor league rehab start, could move up return to Dodgers – Orange County Register

LOS ANGELES – Walker Buehler’s return to the mound is now more than just an abstract concept after the rehabbing right-hander pitched 3 1/3 innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Due to Tommy John surgery and a concomitant flexor tendon repair, Buehler has not been on a major league mound since June 10, 2022. He appeared on track for a return at the end of last season before deciding he wasn’t at any stage in his recovery. where he could have a substantial impact on the team’s playoff campaign.

Of course, the Dodgers have been here before. Buehler threw two perfect innings in a rehab start on Sept. 3 last year before deciding it was best to step back and call it quits for the rest of the season.

Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday the goal is to get Buehler through six innings and 90 pitches before returning to the big leagues. That would mean at least three more minor league outings.

That could signal a return as early as an April 19-21 home series against the New York Mets, although with the wait going on for nearly two years, adding a little more time wouldn’t be the worst idea.

“I think with Walker, he has so many different throws and weapons and the most important part is preparation and execution,” Roberts said. “Then as you go forward, those are the results.

“The problem for him and for us is that he has to be prepared to pitch in a major championship game.”

There were plenty of Easter eggs to uncover during Sunday’s outing in Tacoma, like throwing the fourth inning when the initial estimate was three frames. There were two perfect innings to open the game and seven straight outs right off the bat. And Buehler closed each of his first two innings with strikeouts.

Buehler will now return to Los Angeles for his job between starts, and his next outing is expected to be with Oklahoma City at an undetermined date later this week.

WORKER

Mookie Betts was participating in pregame drills with defensive coach Clayton McCullough, taking point-blank grounders to his backhand as part of his job.

Even though Betts has absorbed himself into defense during his full-time move to the infield, his offense hasn’t been affected. In fact, Betts’ start at the plate has been somewhat historic, starting Sunday with home runs in four straight games.

According to STATS, Betts and Babe Ruth were the only two players to record nine or more hits, nine or more RBIs, six or more walks, four or more home runs and a batting average of .600 or better in four consecutive games .

“And I really respect the way he came out publicly and said that playing a different position was not going to affect offensive performance and that he was never going to use position change as an excuse,” Roberts said . “And it turned out to be true.”

YOU AGAIN?

Brandon Crawford, new shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals, heard the boos from Dodgers fans Saturday and smiled while suggesting it actually warmed his heart on a cold, rainy night.

Crawford was playing his 86th career game at Dodger Stadium, but the first without a San Francisco Giants uniform.

“I was a little disappointed with the lack of boos at the start of the match, so I was happy to get some more later,” Crawford said. “Yeah, in a way it’s kind of nice.” The (Dodgers-Giants) rivalry runs deep and I’m sure I’ll always get it here.

In order to get some bullpen coverage on Sunday, after left-hander Ryan Yarbrough pitched three innings on Friday and five pitchers covered five innings on Saturday, the Dodgers selected the contract of right-hander Nabil Crismatt from Oklahoma City .

Kyle Hurt, who covered 2 2/3 of those five innings and took the loss Saturday, was optioned to Triple-A. Emmet Sheehan (shoulder) was moved to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster.

Crismatt, 29, is expected to make his debut with the Dodgers after pitching four seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks. He made a career-best 50 appearances (one start) for the Padres in 2022, going 5-2 with a 2.94 ERA.