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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (elbow) is looking to return in 2024 after missing the entire 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery. Buehler is coming off his second Tommy John surgery, so the Dodgers could decide to limit his usage to begin the year.
Buehler last pitched on June 10, 2022, after experiencing some pain in his elbow. He eventually underwent successful Tommy John surgery on August 23, 2022, which caused him to miss the entire 2023 season.
But is Buehler injured or healthy? Will he be ready for Opening Day? Let's dive in.
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Walker Buehler Injury Update
It's been a while since we've seen a healthy Buehler in the majors. He pitched only 65 innings during the 2022 season and zero last year. There was a chance the right-hander could return later during the 2023 season, and he even made one rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
However, the Dodgers decided it was best to shut him down for the year. It was an encouraging sign to see Buehler almost make a postseason return after getting Tommy John surgery one year earlier. But with a full offseason to rest his arm now, he should be ready to go for spring training.
However, Los Angeles could decide to delay Buehler's season debut (by design), according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has said all offseason that the right-hander will be good to go for spring training, and while that might be the case, there is no reason to rush him back to start the year. The team has October on their mind, so it makes sense that the 29-year-old pitcher might be limited right away.
Walker Buehler Fantasy Baseball Outlook
It remains to be seen how the Dodgers will manage Buehler's workload to start the year. Will he start the year on the injured list? Will he pitch two to three innings to begin the season? Either way, though, the right-hander will not have a full workload to begin the 2024 campaign.
Despite that, though, he will eventually work his way up and be a fantasy weapon for your team when it matters most: in the playoffs. In Buehler's last full season in 2019, he was 14-4 with a 3.26 ERA and 215 strikeouts across 30 starts. The right-hander will also be key in roto leagues, as he has a career 1.036 WHIP.
It might be tough to roster him in fantasy to begin the year with Buehler likely limited for a while. But you will be rewarded big-time when his limitations are gone because he is as talented as they come on the mound.
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