Dodgers' Buehler confident after 1st start since 2022
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler is encouraged after his first MLB start since June 10, 2022.
"I'm very confident in my ability to do a lot of things with the ball," Buehler said following the Dodgers' 6-3 win Monday over the Miami Marlins, according to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. "It's just a lot easier for me to do it the way that I know how to do it. The idea that I can get pretty close to what I used to do, it makes it a little more attainable."
Buehler allowed three runs on six hits and one home run with four strikeouts across four innings versus the Marlins. The contest was his first since he underwent the second Tommy John procedure of his career in August 2022.
Buehler threw 77 pitches Monday and averaged 95.7 mph with his fastball.
The 29-year-old said he's looking forward to putting the start behind him and focusing on rounding into form moving forward.
"The ceremony of it is done," Buehler said. "Now I can kind of focus on trying to be good and helping our team. I wish it would've gone better. I wish I would've thrown five or six shutout innings and whatever. But it's done. And I'm happy to be back."
Buehler is in his final season of team control and scheduled to hit free agency at the conclusion of the 2024 campaign.