Walker Buehler DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (elbow) is expected to throw 40 to 50 pitches in his first rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday. Initially the expectation was that Buehler would go four-to-five innings, but the Dodgers have opted for a lighter workload. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts speculated that Buehler will need around four rehab starts before he can re-join the major-league rotation. The 29-year-old missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but his return is creeping closer, barring any setbacks. Buehler should be stashed in all fantasy formats, as he could provide high-end value once fully healthy.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler will begin a rehab assignment and is scheduled to pitch 4-5 innings, according to manager Dave Roberts. The skipper added that it's "reasonable" Buehler will need around four rehab outings before returning to the big club. The 29-year-old missed the entire 2023 season after undergoing a second Tommy John surgery in August of 2022. Unsurprisingly, the Dodgers have proceeded with caution with Buehler and have brought him along slowly this spring. The righty was enduring a down 2022 season prior to the procedure with a 4.02 ERA in 12 starts, a full run above his 3.02 career mark. Add in a career 20.6% K-BB% and Buehler is an excellent injury stash and should be rostered in all formats upon his return.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) is "coming sooner than I think we anticipated," according to manager Dave Roberts. Buehler will either head to Triple-A Oklahoma City or Arizona next to continue building his arm up. The 29-year-old threw four simulated innings before the team's exhibition game on Monday against the Los Angeles Angels but is opening the 2024 season on the injured list. Buehler missed all of the 2023 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery, so his fantasy upside will be limited this year while being on an innings limit. However, he deserves to be stashed in all fantasy leagues to begin the year since he has the ability to be an X factor for fantasy rotations if he's able to recover his pre-injury form for the Dodgers. We'll have a better idea of when Buehler might be able to make his season debut, but don't be surprised if it's not until May.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) threw four simulated innings to Dodgers hitters before the team's exhibition game at Dodger Stadium on Monday. A rehab assignment is "close" for Buehler, but up next will be a bullpen session in two to three days. "He's been through the rehab process, facing his own hitters, the simulated games quite a bit over the last year. I think he's sort of over it," Roberts said. The 29-year-old missed all of last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery and will begin the 2024 campaign on the injured list. While the Dodgers are going to bring Buehler along slowly in the first half so they won't have to limit his innings down the stretch, he deserves to be stashed in all fantasy leagues and could be a difference-maker for managers once he's fully healthy.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed starting pitcher Walker Buehler (elbow) on the 15-day injured list. Buehler missed all the 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2022. 2022 was the worst season of his young career and much could be attributed to his injury. There is no clear timetable as to when the 29-year-old will return to big-league action, but mid-to-late April is the expectation. Buehler has thrown many live batting practice sessions this spring and the Dodgers have been encouraged. He will likely need a minor league rehab assignment before returning to the bump, but he offers high upside for those willing to gamble in 2024.