Walker Buehler won’t pick up a ball for the next six-to-eight weeks after being diagnosed with a right elbow strain, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters this weekend.
Buehler suffered the injury during his start Friday night in Oracle Park against the Giants. He left after four innings and underwent imaging on Saturday night in Los Angeles. The fate of the Dodgers’ season may rest on how their rotation can pick up the slack without their Opening Day starter and leader in innings pitched.
Buehler, who has a 4.02 ERA in 12 starts, isn’t expected to require surgery, Roberts said. Still, after roughly two months of inactivity, he’ll have to ramp up like spring training; he may not pitch again until September.
The Dodgers’ rotation leads MLB in ERA (2.73) despite having several starters sidelined. Clayton Kershaw made his first start on Saturday after returning from the IL with a back injury. Andrew Heaney (shoulder) has only made two starts but could come back as soon as next Sunday. Dustin May is likely out until August as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Trevor Bauer is suspended for the duration of his Dodgers contract.
That leaves Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Tyler Anderson and Julio Urías for the time being. The Dodgers currently have a half-game lead over the Padres for first place in the National League West. San Francisco, dealing with an injured rotation of its own, trails LA by 4.5 games before Sunday’s series finale.
“No matter if Heaney and I are back or not, it’s tough to lose Walker for any amount of time,” Kershaw said on Saturday, via the LA Times.
“He’s a stud,” Kershaw said. “He’s pitched some huge innings in huge games for us and he’s been pretty consistent going out there every fifth day. So all of us are going to have to step up for however long he is out.”