Fantasy News

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Next rehab outing Wednesday

  Rotowire Apr 21, 2024

  Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Buehler (elbow) will continue his rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports. The right-hander covered just 2.2 frames in his previous rehab outing with two runs allowed on four hits and four walks, so he'll require at least one more outing in the minors. Buehler may need to showcase improved command if Wednesday's outing is to be his last of the rehab assignment.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Will continue rehab assignment

  Rotowire Apr 19, 2024

  Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Buehler (elbow) needs at least one more rehab outing before returning to the rotation, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Buehler struggled in his rehab outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out three across 2.2 innings. Roberts noted that Buehler's execution Thursday was "not great," and the right-hander will continue his rehab assignment until his command improves. Landon Knack will stay in the Dodgers' rotation for at least one more start.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Underwhelming rehab appearance

  Rotowire Apr 18, 2024

  Buehler (elbow) allowed two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out three across 2.2 innings in a rehab outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports. Buehler was expected to throw between 80 and 90 pitches, though his struggles with control limited the length of his outing. He particularly struggled with his offspeed and breaking pitches, as he threw 15 combined curveballs and sliders -- only two of which went for strikes. Though the outing wasn't positive, it could come as some consolation that this was Buehler's first time pitching with an automated strike zone, per Oklahoma City Director of Communications Alex Freedman. It's possible that this was Buehler's final rehab outing before rejoining the big-league rotation, but the Dodgers are expected to assess the situation before making a final decision.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Nearing return to majors

  Rotowire Apr 15, 2024

  Buehler (elbow/hand) is set for make a fourth minor-league rehab start Thursday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports. Buehler has been working his way back from the Tommy John surgery that he underwent in August 2022. During his most recent rehab outing last Friday with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, Buehler was lifted after two innings due to his right hand being hit by a comebacker, but his early exit has since been deemed precautionary. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that if Buehler is able to reach the 80-to-90-pitch threshold in his upcoming rehab start Thursday, the right-hander will be a strong candidate to return from the 15-day injured list next week to rejoin the big-league rotation. The right-hander hasn't appeared in an MLB game ince suffering the elbow injury over a year and a half ago, but he certainly looks to be on the cusp of his long awaited return to the Dodgers rotation.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Fine for next rehab start

  Rotowire Apr 13, 2024

  Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Buehler (elbow/hand) is fine and will make his next rehab start Thursday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports. Buehler had to be removed from his last rehab start with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday after getting hit in the right hand by a comebacker. It will not keep him from taking his next turn, though, which will likely come with Triple-A Oklahoma City. It had been looking like Buehler's next rehab start would be his last before rejoining the Dodgers' rotation, but he might now be asked to make an additional appearance since his last one was abbreviated.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Removed from rehab start

  Rotowire Apr 12, 2024

  Buehler (elbow) was removed from his rehab start at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday after getting hit in the right hand by a comebacker, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports. Buehler initially remained in the game to complete the second inning, suggesting the damage to his hand may have been minimal, but he was removed ahead of the third. The right-hander threw just 27 pitches Friday after being scheduled for at least 80, so there's a good chance he remains in the minors for an additional rehab start before making his season debut with the Dodgers.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Another rehab outing on tap

  Rotowire Apr 7, 2024

  Manager Dave Roberts said Buehler (elbow) checked out well after his rehab outing Saturday with Triple-A Oklahoma City and is scheduled for at least one more minor-league rehab start before being activated from the 15-day injured list, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports. The right-hander was effective in his second appearance for Oklahoma City, as he tallied six strikeouts and threw 65 pitches across 4.2 scoreless frames. Buehler will continue building up his pitch count in his next minor-league outing, and the Dodgers will then decide whether additional rehab starts are necessary.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Goes 4.2 scoreless in rehab start

  Rotowire Apr 6, 2024

  Buehler (elbow) struck out six over 4.2 shutout innings in a rehab start with Oklahoma City on Saturday. Buehler yielded just two hits, didn't walk anyone and induced 12 whiffs on 65 pitches. He averaged 93.8 mph with his four-seamer, which is down 1.4 mph from what he averaged during the 2022 season prior to Tommy John surgery. Buehler is expected to make at least two more rehab starts before rejoining the Dodgers' rotation, and hopefully he'll rediscover a little more velocity between now and then.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Goes 3.1 innings in rehab start

  Rotowire Apr 1, 2024

  Buehler (elbow) allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits and two walks over 3.1 innings in his first rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday. He struck out two in the outing and induced five whiffs among his 54 pitches. Buehler's four most-used pitches were all down at least 1.0 mph from where he's usually at, with his four-seamer coming in at 94.2 mph. Given that it was his first of what is expected to be four rehab starts, it's not really surprising or alarming. Assuming all goes well, Buehler is likely to rejoin the Dodgers' rotation before the end of the month.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Slated for 40-pitch rehab start

  Rotowire Mar 31, 2024

  Buehler (elbow) is lined up to throw 40-to-50 pitches in a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Initial reports indicated that Buehler would toss 4-to-5 innings Sunday, but it's since been clarified that the right-handed hurler will be held to 50 pitches or fewer. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Buehler could need around four rehab starts before he's ready to join the major-league club, so he figures to build up his pitch count over the course of the rehab assignment. Once Buehler is ready for big-league action, he'll slot into a Dodgers rotation that is led by newcomers Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto along with emerging star Bobby Miller.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Beginning assignment Sunday

  Rotowire Mar 29, 2024

  Buehler (elbow) will start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports. Buehler pitched four innings during a simulated game to conclude spring training, and the expectation is that he'll throw another four-to-five frames in his first rehab start. Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that the right-hander will likely make four rehab starts in the minors. Assuming he receives the usual rest period between each start, that would put him on pace to return to the Dodgers on April 20.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Placed on injured list

  Rotowire Mar 19, 2024

  The Dodgers placed Buehler (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Tuesday. Buehler has spent the spring recovering from his August 2022 Tommy John procedure, and he will require a bit more time before he rejoins the Dodgers' rotation. Buehler was able to touch 97 mph with his fastball during a live batting practice session Tuesday -- an encouraging sign that his rehab process is going well. That being said, Buehler is likely still a month or two away from making his season debut.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Fastball up to 97 mph

  Rotowire Mar 19, 2024

  Buehler (elbow) threw three innings of live batting practice recently and his fastball was up to 97 mph, per the Just Baseball Show podcast. This news was directly from Buehler on the podcast, with the pitcher also stating that he hasn't had much problem with the "up-down" this go around, so it sounds like he is progressing with his throwing program. Buehler wouldn't be able to throw a full season in the majors this year regardless of how ready he is now, so the Dodgers are slow playing him out of the gates. He is expected to open the year on the injured list and he could join the rotation sometime in the first couple months of the season.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: May appear in spring games

  Rotowire Mar 5, 2024

  Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Buehler (elbow) won't begin the regular season with the Dodgers, but the team hopes for Buehler to start a Cactus League game, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports. Buehler will miss the first few weeks of the season as he continues to work his way back from a Tommy John procedure he underwent in August 2022. Heading into camp, Buehler hadn't been expected to appear in any spring training games, but the Dodgers' optimism toward getting him in a Cactus League contest may be a sign that the 29-year-old righty is ahead of schedule in his rehab process. Once Buehler is able to return to Los Angeles' rotation, he will undoubtedly be operating under an innings restriction.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Sitting 94-to-95 mph in live BP

  Rotowire Feb 28, 2024

  Buehler (elbow) said he was sitting in the 94-to-95 mph range during live batting practice Tuesday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports. Buehler felt good in the session in what was his first time facing hitters this spring. He expects to require another 3-to-4 live BP sessions before progressing to games. Buehler is not expected to appear in any Cactus League contests and will stay back at extended spring training at the start of the season.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Facing hitters Tuesday

  Rotowire Feb 27, 2024

  Buehler (elbow) will face hitters Tuesday for the first time this spring, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. The Dodgers are bringing Buehler along carefully this spring after he missed virtually the entire 2023 season following Tommy John surgery. He is not expected to make any Cactus League appearances and instead will stay behind at extended spring training for the start of the regular season. The Dodgers have been vague about a timetable for Buehler's season debut, but it doesn't seem likely to happen before the end of April.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Unlikely to pitch in Cactus games

  Rotowire Feb 19, 2024

  Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that it's unlikely Buehler (elbow) will make any Cactus League appearances this spring, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Roberts declined to offer a timetable for when Buehler will join the Dodgers' rotation, but the fact that the right-hander won't make any spring training appearances indicates that it won't be early on in the season. Buehler made just one rehab appearance last year while working his way back from his second Tommy John surgery. The 29-year-old figures to stay behind in extended spring training for a while before eventually starting a rehab assignment.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Season debut undetermined

  Rotowire Feb 12, 2024

  Dodgers manager Dave Robert said Sunday that there's "no hard start date" for Buehler's (elbow) season debut, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. The Dodgers are slow-playing Buehler's throwing progression this spring after he made just one rehab appearance last year following Tommy John surgery. In addition to an undetermined date for his season debut, Buehler will also no doubt be facing workload restrictions during the 2024 campaign. It's a tricky situation for fantasy managers to navigate.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Won't be in Opening Day rotation

  Rotowire Feb 3, 2024

  Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Saturday that Buehler (elbow) will not be on the Opening Day roster, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports. The Dodgers are trying to figure out the best way to manage Buehler's workload as he comes back from Tommy John surgery and will have him on a "slow program," per Roberts. Whether that means the right-hander will begin the year in extended spring training, on a rehab assignment or something else has not been revealed by the club yet. It's also unclear at this juncture when Buehler might join the Dodgers' rotation, but fantasy managers probably should count on him being unavailable at least for the first month or so. Buehler also figures to have a truncated workload when he does make it back. It's a tricky situation in fantasy, but there's not at least a bit more clarity ahead of spring training.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Start of season could be delayed

  Rotowire Jan 29, 2024

  The Dodgers are considering delaying Buehler's (elbow) season debut in 2024 as they look to manage his workload coming off Tommy John surgery, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports. Buehler wasn't far off from a return late last season, as he made one rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was having some trouble rebounding from throwing sessions, though, and the Dodgers made the decision to shut him down. Because he threw only 65 innings in 2022 and just two in 2023, Buehler was never going to come close to a full workload in 2024. The Dodgers have not yet made a decision on how exactly his workload will be limited, but delaying his season debut might be the most likely option as the team tries to have him ready for October. "He'll be ready to go in spring training, but when we decide to make his debut in 2024 is going to be determined," manager Dave Roberts said in December. "Whether it's the first week or a month later, we're going to kind of wait and see how spring goes."

  ... See More ... See Less