MILWAUKEE — The Dodgers have the best record in the Majors. They have their sights set on a 10th consecutive postseason appearance and a second World Series title in three years.
But they’ll have to try to do it without Walker Buehler, who will have season-ending elbow surgery, the Dodgers announced on Monday. The surgery will be performed Aug. 23, by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.
“It’s certainly a blow,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Monday. “We’re better with Walker on our ball club. But there’s just nothing we can do about it. I still believe that we have enough guys to get through October to prevent runs. But yeah, I mean, we wanted Walker to be a part of this.”
Roberts and the Dodgers gave vague answers when asked repeatedly about the type of surgery Buehler will be undergoing next Tuesday. The Dodgers’ manager did add, however, that he doesn’t expect it to be Tommy John Surgery. He said he could be wrong once Dr. ElAttrache begins the procedure, but that’s initially good news for the Dodgers and the right-hander.
What potentially isn’t good news is just how open-ended this injury appears to be.
If the Dodgers had a clear diagnosis, it would be easy to determine a reasonable timetable for Buehler’s return. But, as of now, there are a lot of questions and not enough answers. Roberts said the Dodgers will have more information after he undergoes the surgery.
“I don’t want to get ahead of what it possibly might or might not be,” Roberts said. “I think it’s fair because if we had clarity on what it was before going in, then you have a timeline. But right now we don’t. I think all of us would love to have complete clarity right now.”
The only clarity the Dodgers have is that Buehler won’t be part of their postseason run. Having their Opening Day starter back for the stretch run was always the goal after Buehler suffered a Grade 2 flexor strain on June 10.
Buehler played catch numerous times over the past few weeks. During his progression, he had extended to 120 feet, but consistent discomfort during the Dodgers’ last homestand forced the right-hander to shut things down. That’s when he underwent an MRI, which made it clear his season was over.
“We took a chance to try and take time off, start a projection to get him back for this year,” Roberts said. “Then, as he went through it, we couldn’t get over the hump. We took a shot at it and now we have to go in.”
As Roberts alluded, officially losing Buehler is a significant blow for the Dodgers, who elected not to trade for a starting pitcher at the Trade Deadline. Part of that thinking was that they were hopeful to have a pitcher like Buehler back in the fold.
Without Buehler, the Dodgers will continue to ask Julio Urías and Tony Gonsolin to lead the rotation. Tyler Anderson has also been a solid option, making his first All-Star team. Dustin May, who will make his first start back from Tommy John Surgery on Aug. 20 against the Marlins, could have a larger role down the stretch.
Then there’s Clayton Kershaw, who is currently on the injured list with a lower back injury. Kershaw is expected to get healthy at some point over the next few weeks, which should give him time to ramp up before the postseason run.
“I talked to Dustin today and he’s not a savior. I just want him to come out and pitch well,” Roberts said. “And when Clayton gets back, he’s got to do his job. I don’t look at it as pressure. It’s just more of, we don’t have a guy that we’d hoped to be with us.”
Buehler had struggled this season when healthy, posting a 4.02 ERA over 12 starts. But few pitchers in the Majors have had the level of success Buehler has had when the lights come on in October.
Last October, Buehler was their workhorse, pitching on short rest twice, once in the NL Division Series against the Giants and again in the NLCS versus the Braves.
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