MLB Network's Jon Morosi reports that the Atlanta Braves have some interest in signing free-agent right-hander Walker Buehler this winter. Left-hander Max Fried and veteran right-hander Charlie Morton are both free agents and may not be back in Atlanta, while right-handed ace Spencer Strider is still recovering from right-elbow surgery that kept him sidelined for most of 2024. Buehler didn't look so great in his initial return from Tommy John surgery during the regular season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he looked much better in the postseason in October and has Kentucky roots, so a return close to home could be appealing. Morosi also mentions the Chicago Cubs as a possibility to land Buehler this offseason. The 30-year-old picked up the save in the World-Series clinching victory of the Yankees and he'll be looking to bounce back in 2025 after going 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA in 16 regular-season starts.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler was tasked to record the final three outs in the Game 5 of the World Series. Buehler previously got the starting nod in Game 3 of the World Series but was available out of the bullpen on Wednesday. In the final frame, the 30-year-old got Anthony Volpe to ground out and then proceeded to strike out the next two batters, Austin Wells and Alex Verdugo en route to winning his second World Series. This postseason, Buehler logged 15 innings to the tune of a 3.60 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. During the regular season, the right-hander carried a 5.38 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed on Monday that right-hander Walker Buehler will make the start in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday at Citi Field against the New York Mets. Buehler will look to be much better than he was his last time out in Game 3 of the NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres last week, when he gave up six runs in five innings without a strikeout. It was a rough 2024 season for the 30-year-old two-time All-Star after returning from Tommy John surgery, as he went 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA (5.54 FIP), a 1.55 WHIP and a 64:28 K:BB in 75 1/3 innings over his 16 starts during the regular season. His strikeout rate (18.6%) was a career-low, while his 8.1% walk rate was his highest mark since his rookie season in 2017. Buehler will certainly be a risky DFS play on the road on Wednesday.
Walker Buehler Set To Start Game 3 Of NLDS For Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler will make his first start of the postseason on Tuesday when he faces Michael King in Game 3 of the NLDS. Buehler will be in tough against a Padres lineup that just put up 10 runs against Jack Flaherty and the Dodgers bullpen. Buehler has had a tough year, pitching to a 5.38 ERA and 1.55 WHIP while earning just one win in 16 starts. He did pitch better in September, but he will need to find another level if he hopes to shut down the Padres offense.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (hip) has been activated from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday. The 30-year-old is finally back after being sidelined since the middle of June due to a hip issue. Buehler will get the ball against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. Before going down, Buehler had a 5.84 ERA, 1.51 WHIP across eight starts this season. Fantasy managers in season long formats can get Buehler get in their lineups. However, DFS players might want to look elsewhere as Buehler could struggle in his first start back against a good Brewers lineup.
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (hip) will likely come off the 15-day injured list to rejoin the starting rotation next Thursday in Milwaukee to face the first-place Brewers. Buehler looked much better in his final minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, giving up only one run while striking out five in 5 1/3 innings (85 pitches). The 30-year-old veteran shouldn't be on a pitch count when he returns to the Dodgers' rotation, but that doesn't mean he won't be a shaky fantasy option against a tough opponent on the road. Buehler looked far from his pre-Tommy John form when he initially returned to LA's rotation, going 1-4 with a 5.84 ERA, a 1.51 WHIP and a 31:10 K:BB in eight starts covering 37 innings. Fantasy managers will be hoping some mechanical tweaks during his time away will help him rebound to close out the season.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (hip) made his third and final rehab start on Thursday, working 5 IP and tossing 85 pitches for Triple-A Oklahoma. The 30-year-old looked good in this one, allowing just one hit and one run while striking out five and walking three. Buehler has been recovering from left hip inflammation that has kept him out of action since mid-June, but he appears to be set to return to the Dodgers rotation sometime next week. Although this was a solid start, he has had a rough season and hasn't been great on his rehab assignment either, so Buehler will need to show he still has what it takes before being inserted back into fantasy lineups.
Walker Buehler To Make One More Rehab Start Before Joining Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (hip) will make one more rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City before rejoining LA's rotation, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced on Friday. Buehler has been dealing with left hip inflammation since mid-June as he started working his way back from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander's rehab assignment has not gone smoothly as he's allowed eight earned runs on 15 hits in just over seven innings of work. Regardless, the Dodgers' rotation is in need of arms as they still deal with injuries to Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Michael Grove among others. Buehler's first stint in the majors this year resulted in a 5.84 ERA, well above his norms. Fantasy managers looking for starting pitching help that want to add Buehler will want to keep him on their bench until he shows he can be consistent. Better options on the waiver wire can make a quicker impact.
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (hip) didn't look great in his first minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday night, surrendering four earned runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out three in four innings of work. On top of the unsavory line, Buehler's fastball averaged just 93.5 mph, which isn't a good sign. He made his return from Tommy John surgery this year, only to go 1-4 with a 5.84 ERA (6.04 FIP) and 1.51 WHIP with 31 strikeouts and 10 walks in 37 innings over eight starts. The Dodgers put the 29-year-old on the 15-day injured list before the All-Star break and had him work on his mechanics away from the team. It's likely that Buehler will make a couple more starts in the minors before the Dodgers feel comfortable letting him face big-league hitters again.
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (hip) said the plan is for him to make a minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday. Buehler was encouraged by Wednesday's bullpen session and his overall progress since going on the 15-day injured list before the All-Star break. He feels like his delivery is in a better spot now after tweaking his mechanics. Manager Dave Roberts said Buehler is expected to make two rehab starts with Oklahoma City and then rejoin the Dodgers in August. The Dodgers and fantasy managers will be hoping that the 29-year-old will look much better than he did when he posted a 5.84 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with 31 K's in 37 innings in his first eight starts after returning from Tommy John surgery. Given the fact that Buehler was one of the most dominant pitchers in the game pre-elbow surgery, he's worth giving another shot in fantasy.
