Walker Buehler left his start for the Dodgers last night after just 70 pitches due to right elbow discomfort, per the team. It’s not an encouraging development for the first-place Dodgers. The Giants took the ballgame 7-2, but they didn’t come away unscathed either, with both starter Jakob Junis and Evan Longoria leaving the game due to injury as well. There has been no official diagnosis for any of the three injured players.
On the plus side for the Dodgers, they expect to activate Clayton Kershaw from the injured list today, per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya (via Twitter). The veteran southpaw had an excellent first five starts before landing on the injured list. Kershaw’s back has kept him out for little more than a month, but he returns owning a 1.80 ERA/2.27 FIP over 30 innings with a stunning 32-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Depending on the diagnosis for Buehler’s injury, it could mean a quick return from Triple-A for Mitch White, who was optioned on Friday. White had been in the rotation since the end of May, making four turns through the rotation. Combined with his time in the bullpen, White has posted a 3.86 ERA/3.72 FIP in 25 2/3 innings this season.
Oh no, hope Buehler is ok
The setback to Junis may be more impactful for the Giants. He’s been stellar every time out, while the rest of the rotation has been pretty meh.
And longos injury is par for the course it would be weird if he didn’t go on the DL once every 3 weeks
Hope Buehler will be ok. Pitching depth is so important. Kershaw is back today and Heaney should be back by next weekend.
Unfortunately Giants don’t have that pitching depth. Bullpen day today and then Junis next start?
Shelby Miller to the rescue!!
If any pitcher can single-handedly ruin a season with one appearance, it’s Shelby Miller. Giants better off pulling someone out of the stands for that start.
How cool would that be if it happened….Kinda like ozzy or the foo-fighters….getting a fan onstage to play…..
Someone stepping in for Keith Moon, early 70’s show
Buehler is todays winner of the Tommy John Surgery Award. Congratulations!
He can room with Mize. Sucks.
Already had TJ, seven years ago.
So, does this put the Dodgers into the Luis Castillo et al, running? I know they’ve got Kershaw, Urias and company, but I would expect some regression from Gonsolin and Anderson.
They still have to pay Bauer, so if they have any options from the minors they might prefer that route
No they don’t? Bauer was suspended for high means his pay is lost
Bauer was suspended, so no he isn’t being paid, at least pending his appeal.
Not necessarily. They also have Heaney, may, Duffy coming back. But the bullpen might need some arms
When is May due back? I thought his return was scheduled around mid-August to early September?
The Dodgers aren’t saying much about May but late season seems the most likely for his return.
BRUINBLUW:
I don’t see them doing anything like that now. They’re in first, and still have a solid rotation. Even with imperfect SPs, the hitters still pound the ball. They aren’t falling out of the race anytime soon.
I can see them dealing for someone like Castillo at the deadline, if the situation then dictates it, but otherwise. Friedman isn’t panicking. And paying a premium for Castillo, which is what it would take now, would be panicking.
I really hope buehler isn’t out long. That would be terrible for baseball – padres fan
I expected the Giants to go after Dallas Keuchel before he got signed.
Buehler obviously hasn’t been completely right since the start of the season. Suppose we’ll find out why now.
Speedy return Ferris.