The Los Angeles Dodgers have had a strong start to the 2024 MLB season, but star pitcher Walker Buehler has been slow to ramp up production amid his injury return. Buehler suffered a notable slump in June, and Dave Roberts later revealed the right-hander was suffering from hip discomfort. Roberts provided further insight into Buehler's situation that will catch fans' attention.
Roberts suspects the extra strength Buehler built from his previous injury rehab could be affecting his throwing mechanics. He revealed that he trying to come up with a plan for Buehler after placing him on the injured list on the backend of the team's Colorado Rockies series.
“We haven't figured that one out completely. I think with Walker, it's sort of trying to sort of figure out who he is as a pitcher right now, where his body is at. He's a lot heavier and stronger than he was before surgery. So to kind of figure out how his body is moving, related to the pitch mechanics and delivery,” Dave Roberts said, per Jack Harris.
“It's going to be a process. We haven't finalized where this going to take place. Obviously, we'll have our hands on things. But things it might be an off-site thing or internal or combo, I'm not sure yet,” Roberts added.
Walker Buehler spent over a year recovering from Tommy John surgery that resulted from a lingering elbow injury in 2022. After a lengthy rehab process, Buehler returned in 2024. Yet, he has not been at the same level he was at before.
Through eight games, the 29-year-old right-hander possesses a 1-4 record and has thrown 31 strikeouts. In addition, he holds a 5.84 ERA along with 1.51 WHIP. Hopefully, Buehler will fully recover from his hip ailment and get back into a good groove for the Dodgers.
Walker Buehler admitted to his Dodgers slump prior to his hip ailment
Buehler gave up seven runs and seven hits in his last start against the Rockies on June 18th. Nevertheless, the Dodgers beat Colorado 11-9. Buehler got brutally honest on his challenging start to the season after the concerning performance.
“We’ve thought about taking a blow. Taking a month off, taking a week off,” Buehler said, via SportsNet LA. “Trying to figure out how to get me reset. And maybe that’s coming, maybe not. I don’t know. We’ll see. It sucks to feel invaluable or like you’re hampering your team.”
Even before his notably low performance against the Rockies, Buehler knew he was out of rhythm.
“Physically, I’ve probably exceeded where I thought I was gonna be, but performance-wise, I feel like [crap],” Buehler said, via Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. “I’m not anywhere close to where I want to be. You think with a layoff like that, you’re not gonna have the same expectations you always have, but when you start tallying these starts, it’s kind of put-up or shut-up time for me, at least mentally, and these last two obviously haven’t been good enough.”
Surely, Dave Roberts will come up with a plan that allows Buehler to recover and get back in a groove as the Dodgers continue their ascent.
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