Walker Buehler returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday to start the game against the Milwaukee Brewers after nearly two months on the injured list.
It didn’t go well.
Buehler walked the bases loaded in the first inning and was eventually pulled after allowing four runs in 3 1/3 innings. The Brewers went on to win 5-4.
It could have been worse for Buehler if not for a sensational double play on an outfield assist by Kevin Kiermaier that helped him out of a bases-loaded jam.
Buehler returns after setback in his return from Tommy John surgery
Buehler, a two-time All-Star, made his initial return to the rotation in May after missing more than a season due to Tommy John surgery. He struggled through eight starts that produced a 5.84 ERA and 1.292 WHIP with 58 strikeouts and 17 walks in 37 innings.
He last pitched on June 19 before landing on the disabled list with hip inflammation. Wednesday’s game against the Brewers was his first game back.
He took the mound in the bottom of the first inning with the Dodgers leading 3-0. He then issued three consecutive walks to Brice Turang, Jackson Chourio and Tyler Black. Seventeen pitches after his return, Buehler had thrown 12 balls without recording an out.
However, he emerged from the tackle unscathed, largely thanks to Kiermaier’s arm.
With the bases loaded and no one out, William Contreras lined a ball off Buehler and straight to Kiermaier in center field. Kiermaier made a steady catch and threw it to the plate as Turang bunted from third base.
The pitch beat Turang at the plate and catcher Austin Barnes threw him out for a double play.
According to MLB researcher Sarah Langs, Kiermaier’s 99 mph pitch was The fastest in a field assist since the beginning of the Statcast era in 2015.
Buehler then struck out Willy Adames to get out of the inning without allowing a run.
Things didn’t go so well in the second inning. Buehler allowed a leadoff homer to Jake Bauers on a full count.
Then, with one out, Sal Frelick reached first on a fielding error by shortstop Nick Ahmed. Frelick scored on Turang’s triple with two outs. Turang then scored on Chourio’s infield single.
The final two runs of the inning were unearned, but the damage was done. Milwaukee tied the game 3-3.
Buehler rallied with a 1-2-3 third inning, but only managed one out in the fourth before his night was over. Buehler walked Garrett Mitchell to lead off the inning. Mitchell scored on an error by Enrique Hernandez and Buehler’s night was over.
Buehler finished the night allowing four runs on three hits, one home run and four walks, while striking out three. He threw 41 of his 86 pitches for balls. The silver lining for Buehler is that only one of those runs was earned.
Buehler’s return comes at an opportune time for the Dodgers, who recently saw rookie River Ryan become the latest member of the rotation to land on the injured list this season due to an elbow injury. He needs Tommy John surgery.
The Dodgers, who hold a 2.5-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West, are now hoping Buehler stays healthy and returns to form for the stretch run and playoffs.