The starting pitching staff of the Los Angeles Dodgers just can't seem to catch a break.
On Friday, the Dodgers suffered another blow when rookie Walker Buehler was pulled from a game against the Atlanta Braves with rib soreness.
Buehler, who was perfect through four innings, received the hook from manager Dave Roberts after a mound visit with a trainer. The youngster, whose velocity decreased, told his manager he was in pain and having trouble breathing, according to The Athletic's Pedro Moura.
The 23-year-old right-hander and top prospect of the Dodgers underwent scans on his ribs, according to Michael J. Duarte of NBC LA, but the team hasn't provided any further follow-up.
"(It) seemed like he wasn't letting it go like he was earlier,'' Roberts said after his team's 7-3 win, according to The Associated Press. "For me, that was a big red flag.''
Buehler was hit in the ribs by a comebacker on May 21 but continued to make starts, with Friday his third since being struck.
If his injury is serious, he could join a Dodgers' disabled list already containing starting pitchers Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Julio Urias, and Dennis Santana.
"If you're a pitcher on this staff, heads up,'' Roberts joked after the game.
