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Dodgers ace Buehler, who is rehabilitating his elbow, is unlikely to return to the opening game.


Walker Buehler

American professional baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers ace Walker Buehler (29) is expected to miss out on joining this season's opening game.

The Los Angeles Times reported on the 5th (Korean time) that the Dodgers decided to delay Buehler's return schedule.

Buehler has been in rehabilitation for 16 months after undergoing elbow ligament fusion surgery (Tommy John surgery) in August 2022.

He considered returning in the postseason last year, but it was canceled due to the condition of his elbow.

Considering that the rehabilitation period for Tommy John surgery is usually 12 to 16 months, Buehler's recovery is slow.

The reason the Dodgers decided to delay Buehler's return this year is because they expect him to be in better condition in the postseason.

Buehler is still in rehabilitation, but he is such a powerful pitcher that MLB.com recently selected him as a candidate for the 2024 National League (NL) Cy Young Award.

However, Buehler, who had undergone elbow surgery once shortly after being selected in the 2015 rookie draft, is making every effort to fully recover as he is undergoing a second surgery.

Local media predicted that even if Buehler returns this season, he will only make 24 to 27 starts and pitch 150 to 175 innings.

If Buehler's return to the opening game is canceled, the Dodgers will have Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and James Paxton as the first to third starters at the beginning of the season.