The Los Angeles Dodgers announced right-hander Walker Buehler would undergo season-ending elbow surgery last week, though the exact nature of the surgery was unknown at the time. On Tuesday, Buehler clarified that he will undergo his second career Tommy John surgery, suggesting he will miss the entire 2023 season. Buehler made the Tommy John surgery announcement himself on Instagram: “Tommy John Round 2 let’s roll. See ya when I see ya @dodgers”
Buehler had not pitched in the majors since June 10, just days before he underwent an operation to have bone chips removed from his throwing elbow. Tommy John surgery comes with a 14-16 month rehab timetable, though it can be longer when the surgery is performed a second time. Buehler had his first Tommy John surgery soon after being drafted in the first round in 2015. Barring any setbacks, he should be able to return for spring training in 2024, in his final season before becoming a free agent.
The 28-year-old Buehler appeared in just 12 games this season, pitching to a 4.02 ERA (103 ERA+) and 58 strikeouts in 65 innings. The two-time All-Star finished fourth in NL Cy Young Award voting last year after accumulating a 2.47 ERA (169 ERA+) and a 4.08 strikeout-to-walk ratio in a career-high 207 innings pitched.
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