Dodgers Get Disastrous News On Buehler

The news on Los Angeles Dodgers ace Walker Buehler is not good. Due to an elbow strain, he's being shut down from throwing for 6-to-8 weeks, and realistically might not return before September. It's a disastrous blow to the NL West leaders.

The perennial Cy Young contender left his last start on Friday against the San Francisco Giants after four innings, with elbow pain. It was diagnosed as a flexor strain. With three sub-par performances in a row, it was clear that something was simply not right.

Once Buehler is able to pick up a baseball, he'll need to go through a full build up. Sometime in September appears to be the goal.

— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) June 12, 2022

Even an optimistic timeline has him throwing again at the end of July, then he would have to build up arm strength through August, eventually advancing to bullpens and batting practice, before heading out on a rehab assignment. All of that would have him looking at a September return. 

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, when asked if Buehler would be pitching again this season, glumly replied "as of now, yes."

"When you lose one of the best pitchers in the game, it's a big blow to anybody," said Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman.

The two-time All-Star had Tommy John surgery in 2015, after the Dodgers selected him in the first round of the draft. 

Currently this season Buehler is 6-3 with a 4.02 ERA.  

 Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports