Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) will make his next minor-league rehab start on Friday for Triple-A Oklahoma City. The Julio Urias situation will have no effect on a plan for Buehler moving forward, Roberts said. The Dodgers will likely be without Urias for the rest of the year after a domestic-violence incident on Sunday, but that won't cause the Dodgers to rush Buehler back to their starting rotation. The 29-year-old is returning from Tommy John surgery, and LA plans on having him return in a starting role, so he must get stretched out more. Buehler will likely need at least one more rehab start beyond Friday, so he's probably not going to be of much help to fantasy managers to close out the 2023 regular season. But his eventual return could be a huge boost for the Dodgers if Buehler can return to his All-Star form for the postseason.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday and is scheduled to throw one or two innings. Buehler will need at least three rehab outings before the team evaluates him again. If all goes well in the minors, the 29-year-old could be back with the Dodgers starting rotation by mid-September. At that point, he won't be able to provide much for fantasy managers, but he could be a real shot in the arm for the first-place Dodgers as they look to make another deep run in the postseason. Buehler is a two-time All-Star that went 16-4 with a 2.47 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 212 strikeouts in 33 starts in his last full season in 2021.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) is trying to make his way back from Tommy John surgery and is throwing in the Arizona Complex League, but according to manager Dave Roberts, he hasn't tossed more than one inning. The talented 29-year-old is attempting to return from the injured list in early September as a starting pitcher but will need to ramp up his work in the coming days. Buehler hasn't pitched since 2022, when he posted a 4.02 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 21.2% strikeout rate across 12 starts. He's capable of much more than that, considering his career 27.0% strikeout rate, but fantasy managers can't expect him to be in All-Star form when he returns.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Friday that if and when right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) returns this year, it will be in a traditional starting role. "It's not going to be two innings as an opener. It's not going to be three innings as a short-term starter," Roberts said. Buehler is attempting to return after having Tommy John surgery last year for the second time in his career. He was able to throw a simulated game against live hitters on Wednesday, touching 93 mph with his fastball. The 29-year-old isn't going to have enough time to make much of an impact in fantasy leagues in September, but his return will surely be a huge boost to a Dodgers rotation that has stayed afloat in the second half despite injuries to key arms.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) faced live hitters in a simulated game for the first time on Wednesday since having his second Tommy John surgery last year. It's a big step for Buehler, who is hoping to return for the Dodgers before the end of the 2023 season. After facing live hitters, he'll need to be cleared to go on a likely lengthy minor-league rehab assignment to build up his arm. The Dodgers would love to have the 29-year-old available in their starting rotation for a playoff run, but it remains to be seen if that will actually happen, especially coming off his second Tommy John procedure. While Buehler could make his 2023 debut at some point in September, fantasy managers should have tempered expectations.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) will take the next step in his recovery by facing hitters in Arizona this week, according to general manager Brandon Gomes. If Buehler can get through this week's sessions without any setbacks, he could be well on his way to going on a minor-league rehab assignment in the near future. The 29-year-old is attempting to return from Tommy John surgery. He made only 12 starts in 2022 before missing the rest of the season, but he's well on his way to making an impact for the Dodgers to close out the regular season in September. Buehler will likely be eased back in and may not even be a starting rotation member if he returns in September, though, so temper expectations for his fantasy value if he pitches in the big leagues this year.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow), who is trying to come back from Tommy John surgery, is "on the verge" of starting a minor-league rehab assignment. However, Roberts isn't ready to pinpoint a specific date. The Dodgers are hoping to have Buehler back as a starter in September. The 29-year-old could start a rehab assignment if all goes well with his bullpen session this Saturday. Buehler could return just in time for a postseason run for a Dodgers team that hasn't had a dominant rotation for most of the year. However, for fantasy purposes, you may want to temper expectations given the fact that many hurlers struggle with velocity when they initially return from TJ surgery.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (elbow) posted a video of himself throwing a bullpen session last week as he recovers from Tommy John surgery last August. The Dodgers have no plans to try and rush Buehler back into their starting rotation, but the 28-year-old right-hander is hoping he can be back early in September. That timetable may be a bit optimistic, and even if Buehler is back by then, he's not going to have much time to help fantasy managers in 2023. There's also the chance that the Dodgers ease him back into a bullpen role early on. Buehler is on track to become a fantasy ace once again for the 2024 season as long as he doesn't encounter any setbacks.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (elbow) posted a video on his Instagram account on Thursday of his first bullpen session since having Tommy John surgery in August of 2022. Buehler remains on the 60-day injured list, but he said in mid-May that he was aiming for a return sometime in September of this year. As long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks along the way in his rehab, it could be a realistic goal, although he obviously wouldn't be able to provide much fantasy value in limited opportunities down the stretch. The 28-year-old right-hander will be much closer to an actual return once he starts facing live hitters, but there's no timetable for when that might happen.

According to Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts, right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) is throwing off a mound. The 28-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery in August and began throwing in March, so he's moving in the right direction. He went 6-3 last season (12 starts), amassing a 4.02 ERA with 58 strikeouts. Since nobody knows for certain when Buehler will be back on the bump, he's not worth much in redraft formats. However, dynasty managers should keep him on the roster.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) was throwing from 150 feet away at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. The 28-year-old began a throwing program in March as he is recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent in August. The right-hander had a 4.02 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 17 walks, and 58 strikeouts in 2022. It remains to be seen if Buehler will return to pitch for the Dodgers this season, but he is trending in the right direction. Buehler remains an injury stash in dynasty leagues but can be left on the waiver wire in most redraft formats.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (elbow) began his throwing program on Wednesday by playing catch from 60 feet on a limited number of throws. It's a notable milestone for Buehler, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery last August. The 28-year-old made 12 starts last year and had a 4.02 ERA (3.80 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, 17 walks and 58 strikeouts in 12 starts covering 65 innings before being shut down. He still has a long road in his recovery and will miss most, if not all, of this season, so fantasy managers in redraft leagues can avoid him.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (elbow) is on track to begin his throwing program later this month. The 28-year-old has already been placed on the 60-day injured list. He continues to recover from his second career Tommy John surgery. It's a good sign to see Buehler getting back to throwing roughly six months after surgery. He is expected to have a lengthy rehab process that could sideline him for the entire 2023 campaign. At best, Buehler could be an option for the Dodgers late in the season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers moved right-handers Walker Buehler (elbow), J.P. Feyereisen (shoulder) and Blake Treinen (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list on Thursday to make room on the 40-man roster for recently signed right-handers Alex Reyes and Jimmy Nelson and outfielder David Peralta. Buehler underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last August and is fully expected to miss all of the 2023 season as a result. He should be fully ready for the 2024 season. The Dodgers added relievers Reyes and Nelson recently to offset the injuries in their bullpen to Feyereisen and Treinen.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery on Tuesday, according to his Instagram account. Buehler was already slated to miss the rest of this season, and now he'll almost certainly miss all of the 2023 season as well. It will be his second Tommy John procedure, which typically takes a longer recovery period than the first surgery. It's big news for one of the best pitchers in baseball when he's healthy. The 28-year-old right-hander went 6-3 with a 4.02 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 58 strikeouts in 65 innings over his 12 starts for the Dodgers this year. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues should have already dropped him, and now he won't be an option in fantasy leagues in 2023.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (elbow) will have season-ending elbow surgery on Aug. 23. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Buehler recently resumed playing catch for the first time since suffering a Grade 2 flexor strain in his right elbow on June 10, but he apparently had a change of plans and will now undergo surgery. The Dodgers and fantasy managers were hoping to get the 28-year-old right-hander back later this year, but he can now be dropped in all single-year formats. In 12 starts this year, Buehler went 6-3 with a 4.02 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 58 strikeouts and 17 walks in 65 innings pitched. With Buehler out for the year and Clayton Kershaw (back) on the injured list, Dustin May's (elbow) impending season debut this weekend will be a big boost for LA's rotation.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (forearm), who has been sidelined since June 10 after suffering a Grade 2 flexor strain in his right forearm, played catch on Monday for the first time. Buehler is still a significant ways away from a potential return to the team, and his role is contingent on his recovery. "It was good," said manager Dave Roberts. "I think he just made 20 throws but to have a baseball in his hand was good for everybody." The 27-year-old won't be able to return until later in the second half of the season, but he needs to remain stashed in all single-year fantasy formats. Before the injury, Buehler had gone 6-3 with a 4.02 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 58 strikeouts and 17 walks in 65 innings over his 12 starts.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler had an underwhelming outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Memorial Day. He pitched six innings and allowed seven hits, one walk and four earned runs while striking out seven. He wound up with a no decision in the game. It's been a strange start to the year for the 27-year-old. On the bright side, he's 6-1 with a 3.22 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. However, his strikeout rate is currently sitting at a career-low of 20%, down from 26% last year. Meanwhile, his 3.70 xERA is the highest of his career. Buehler is still certainly a must-start player in all fantasy formats, regardless of matchups. Fantasy managers should just temper expectations a bit for him as he may not be able to provide ace statistics throughout the year. He'll make his next start on Saturday against the New York Mets.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler allowed two runs, six hits, and two walks over five innings of work against the Arizona Diamondbacks last Wednesday. He struck out four batters and ultimately earned the win. The right-hander is now 5-1 with a 2.89 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and .250 OBA while tallying a 20.1 percent strikeout rate and 6.2 percent walk rate. Buehler has boasted impressive command of his fastball and curveball, all while ranking in the 89th percentile in chase rate. He has been a key piece of the Los Angeles rotation and should continue to be rostered in all fantasy baseball leagues.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler will make the start on Friday night against the Philadelphia Phillies. Buehler is starting in place of left-hander Clayton Kershaw (back), who was placed on the injured list on Friday. The 27-year-old right-hander was previously scheduled to start on five days of rest on Saturday, but instead he'll be moved up a day. Although he currently has a career-low 21.8% strikeout rate, Buehler has been money otherwise for his fantasy managers, posting a 1.96 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in his first six starts over 36 2/3 innings. Buehler will remain a must-start in all fantasy leagues against the Phillies in LA on Friday evening.