Last night started to look like the rest of Walker Buehler’s recent outings as he gave up 2 runs in the second inning, but then in the third inning, he came out snarling. He struck out Luis Gonzalez on seven pitches, including 5 straight over 95 MPH. Next, he struck out Mike Yastremski on 5 pitches, including a 96 MPH fastball. Finally, he struck out Wilmer Flores on four pitches. Suddenly, Walker looked like Walker again! He was hitting his spots, his fastball was moving and he got three straight swing and miss outs.
You always hope for the best, but you have to be prepared for the worst and this ain’t good. In an interview earlier in the year, Walker made a statement, “I’m not a big guy, I have to generate power with my mechanics.” It’s no secret that Walker’s fastball velocity has dropped over the years and it has dropped again this year. I think Walker was/is trying to evolve as a pitcher because he does not have the body or the mechanics to throw as hard as he does. Of course, sliders and curves are also hard on your arm.
When you are young, you can always reach back and get 2 to 3 more MPH on your fastball (maybe at the expense of control), but You also just know your body. This may be overly simplistic, but at some point last night, Walker said, “Screw it” and just reverted back to being that power pitcher and that is when he felt the pain. Hopefully, this is simple… maybe it’s just inflammation or a “loose body” but when you are talking “elbow” on someone who has had Tommy John Surgery seven or eight years ago, there has to be a high level of concern.
I am sure he will get an MRI today and we may or may not know the verdict. At any rate, I would plan on Walker being absent for a few weeks at best. Long term, he may have to learn how to pitch differently… or maybe become a closer! I just wish him the best, but now, it is “Next Man up.” Of course, Andrew Friedman will always be kicking the tires. Frankie Montas is on his radar, but I don’t think he will give Billy B. Bobby Miller. or Gavin Stone. In fact, I would consider bringing up Stone if he keeps up his pace.
Speaking of Bobby Miller, he went 4.1 innings last night throwing 89 pitches (58 for strikes), walking 3, and striking out 3 while giving up 3 ER ( 2 were on a Michael Massey HR). Focusing is a problem right now.
By the way, Jacob Amaya‘s BA is sinking faster than the Titanic (.262). OUCH!
Mike Busch was 2-5 for OKC last night, playing in LF again.
Hopefully, Clayton Kershaw ridges to the rescue this afternoon.
Gavin Lux was about the only positive last night!
Mookie now looking like April Mookie and the vaunted Dodger BP looking a bit thin with the likes of Bruhil and Price and the absences of Trienen and Kahnle.
Where’s Freddie’s occasional HR? Bellinger with another 0-4 night, but he plays great defense so that’s a plus. It doesn’t appear he will ever return to his MVP play and he’s ours so I guess Doc has to pencil him in everyday. I’m a Dodger lover and I want nothing but success for him, but his K’s and 0-4 nights are getting a bit old. A BA of .202 is flat out embarrassing for a once proud MVP and I’m sure it’s troubling for him but at some point you do wonder if the Dodger brain trust gives up.
“Stone Age” coming to the Dodgers rather sooner than later !
Kid has made a gigantic leap and if the Dodgers promoted Grove straight from AA why not Stone ? He has pitched even better.
Miller is a little disappointing IMHO. I expected more from him after his ST and performance vs the Angels.
Montas definetely would be a nice aquisition especially if WB is out. Pepiot or Grove plus a two lower minor leaguers not named Page, Cartaya and Miller be good enough ?
Does someone know why Vogel left the game at RC early last night ? I follow this young man for some time now , got a lot of raw talent and just started to hit more.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Josh Thomas of Dodgers Digest has an encouraging writeup on pitchers Cole Duensig and Braydon Fisher in Great Lakes.
Deunsig (or however it’s spelled) was a prospect released by the Angels, did some work at Driveline and was picked up by the Dodgers. His velocity is up and his walk rate is down. Fisher is also on the rebound from earlier struggles. And River Ryan, the former two-way prospect the Dodgers got for Matt Beatty, had a great outing for the Quakes. In the near term, these guys could be sweeteners in a deal for Montas or ??.
I’ve read that Billy Bean has specific prospects in mind when he makes deals. Montas wouldn’t be cheap but the Dodgers do have a lot of talent capital. The Reds will probably be dealing SPs as well. The market has some time to shape up.
My personal opinion on Buehler’s elbow issue is from his being overworked during the 2021 season and in the last game of the playoffs going on 3 days rest. Trying to win the 2021 Western Division at all costs is certainly a contributing factor to Walker’s current situation. There are no guarantees of performance IF a second Tommy John operation is necessary. Hoping that’s not the case and rest is all that is needed.
Oh shit, this doesn’t sound / look good does it? What a bummer for Walker. This is beginning to feel a lot like last year. Why can’t this team stay healthy? I sure hope Dustin is getting close.
Well, not a whole lot to say about last night. Belli is still pulling off everything. That bat head is under every freaking pitch. 1 step forward and five back. It’s frustrating. Mookie is basically doing the same thing right now. The umpire was not helping either of them. Muncy wants to be in the same club.
At least Gavin is showing up to play.
The pitching as a whole just seems worn out after that 31 in 30 schedule. I sure hope some guys start to come off the IL soon. Please DFA Price. I’m so sick of seeing him come out there.
I got my new smoker delivered yesterday, so I’ve got some baby backs on the menu tonight and my brother and my sister in law coming over tonight to watch the game. Kershaw is swapped for Julio. Maybe we’ll see something special.
What kind of smoker did you get B & P, love Baby Racks? I love to grill myself too and have 3 different grills( 2 Weber’s – 1 gas – 1 charcoal & a medium style Big Green Egg). Use them all year rain/shine or snow.
The Egg for the win, although my friend swears by his Traeger
Sorry guys, I’m more for set and forget. I’m not a fan of pellets, I want to use wood chips. I got the XL Char-Broil smoker. I had the smaller one before, it worked great, but it only lasted a couple of years.
What I like about it. Wood chip smoke box is large and holds a lot of chips and makes a lot of smoke. It has a built in probe and can be set to stop when the probe reaches the desired temp, or by time. Temp is also set and it keeps it constant.
I’ve got two racks of ribs and I’ll smoke them for 4 hours at 225. I do a top secret rub with about 3 heaping tablespoons of brown sugar and various herbs and spices, course salt and pepper, garlic and onion. Bind with some olive oil and yellow mustard. Once smoked, I’ll wet them with a mix of Sweet Baby Rays and a Carolina Gold with brown sugar, Crystal and a little Habanero hot sauce mixed in. Then they’ll go on the grill at around 300 for a half and hour to caramelize that sauce. Stand for a little over 5 minutes, then slice.
This method comes out great. Meat comes off the bone, but doesn’t fall off. I like a little texture.
I would like to get an egg some day. But, man are they expensive. My next purchase is to replace my everyday grill. It’s lasted over 5 years which is pretty good considering all the salt damp air at the beach. Every now and then, when I close the lid I heard crap falling from the bottom. I’m hoping I can get through this season and replace it next Memorial Day. Lowes, has a brand that has a 10 year warranty covering all parts and labor that’s made in Canada that has a solid piece tub. It’s around $1400 for the 4 burner that I want, so I’m trying to kick the can down the road.
I am just about to start a 6 month cyber security bootcamp through UC Berkeley and it isn’t cheap. But, it should extend my career through retirement. Otherwise I would replace the grill now.
WE are hiring!
A Marine killed in an aircraft crash Wednesday in Imperial County, California was identified as a son of ex-Los Angeles Dodgers great Steve Sax.
Capt. John J. Sax, 33, was one of five Marines killed when their Osprey tiltrotor aircraft went down during a training exercise roughly 20 miles northeast of the city of Holtville.
“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of five Marines from the Purple Fox family” the squadron’s commanding officer, Lt. Col. John C. Miller, said in a statement, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.
Sad to hear. RIP and thank you for serving John Sax. You will be remembered.
Just learned some sad news via Facebook…..
Horrible news re: former Los Angeles Dodgers Steve Sax.
One of the five Marines killed during a training flight crash on Wednesday in southeastern California has been identified as Capt. John J. Sax of Placer County. He was 33. Reports from KTXL Sacramento say former Dodger Steve Sax confirmed the late Capt. was his son #RIP.
A reminder of how dangerous military work can be far from a combat zone. My dad was a career Marine, and we lived in a civilian suburb of El Toro MCAS. (About half the original homeowners on our street were active duty military.) Our nearby neighbors included the families of two aviators who were killed in training exercises, and around the block was a young woman whose young husband had the same fate.
Sad news indeed. In this day and age where some people are “woke” and protest and march against the “good guys” who work to serve mankind (police and military) we should remember their names. Never forget their sacrifice so we can sleep at night peacefully in our bed and post on a blog.
Grateful for their courage, their service and their sacrifice. May God grant them eternal salvation and comfort their families in their time of need. #GBA
… “woke” and protest and march against the “good guys”
I was wondering when somebody would drag the January 6 insurrection into this baseball blog again. Geez, can we keep politics out of here.
No politics intended, just a comment that I’m tired of seeing the police and some in the military vilified, nothing to do with January 6 and if you read that into my comments that’s on you nimrod.
https://www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › Nimrod
Nimrod Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster
Nimrod: [noun] a descendant of Ham represented in Genesis as a mighty hunter and a king of Shinar.
That’s why I was worried, I didn’t know what it was but something wasn’t right.
In the 2020 season Buehler was 25 years old and closed the WS throwing at 98-99 MPH and occasionally touching 100MPH, in that year in the regular season he only accumulated 36 IP. In his previous two seasons, at the ages of 23 and 24, Buehler was taken care of, he was given the same treatment as Urias, May and Gonsolin, his pitch counts were closely watched and he was never given a job. excessive, so he enters the 2021 season and at the age of 26 he was at 95-96 mph, he had lost 3 MPH overnight and that was the first time I was worried, but since he was playing very well I told myself: It’s nothing, he’s going to recover his speed during the season but he never recovered it.
In this 2022 I saw again that I was at the same speed and again I deceived myself and told myself: it is the shortened spring training, he will be fine, but time began to pass and I realized that I was no longer going to recover the speed, which was no longer the same, so I said that I was worried about the loss of speed that began in 2021 and in 2022 it lost the spin, I no longer had any doubts that something was not right, so I wrote here expressing my concern, I did the question: why would a young man lose 3 mph from one season to another, when his workloads have been highly monitored and he is not overworked?
I said if I was 32-33 years old and hundreds, thousands of innings accumulated I would understand, but at 26-27 years old?
I then compared Buehler to Lincecum as they were both little men and as Lincecum too at a very early age had slowed down, I asked Buehler will he end his career as Lincecum?
Then Mark answered me and told me that that was not comparable because Buehler was a big man 6-2 and Lincecum a small man 5-11, so I read that Buehler says that he is not tall, so the comparison I made between the two pitchers if it was adequate.
Last night I read a statement from Buehler and suddenly everything became clear to me what was happening, he said, something like that, that he had pain in his elbow in games but then it went away, that last night he tried to do the same but this time the pain did not go away, so it is very likely that Buehler has been dealing with that elbow problem since 2021 and then that drop of 3 MPH in his fastball and that it worsened from September of last year makes a lot of sense , until today, when it also lost its spin.
I also said that I was at 95-96 mph because I couldn’t be at 98-99 anymore and now I understand why it was, the damn elbow!!!
I am sorry to see that my concerns were valid and that I was right with Buehler, my favorite MLB pitcher, now I pray for him, that he recovers and returns to 100% !!!
Well, I was on the road all day, but I got back tonight and looked this up.
You said:
Then Mark answered me and told me that that was not comparable because Buehler was a big man 6-2 and Lincecum a small man 5-11, so I read that Buehler says that he is not tall, so the comparison I made between the two pitchers if it was adequate.
What I actually said was this:
I would not put a lot of stock in fastball speed until May. Syndergaard was 2 or 3 MPH lower too. Hopefully, Buehler is not throwing as hard as he can.
For every Tim Lincecum, there is a Pedro Martinez.
Timmy was 5-11, 170 – Walker is 6-2 and listed at 185, but I hear he is over 200.
I know I saw one pitch that was 98. But you guys know it’s just not the speed with the fastball.The spin,control and movement have got to be right.I think he will be back close to his old form.It’s a wait and see .
If in fact Kershaw does pitch on this date you can almost be certain Giants will be thin on hitting. Kershaw has always pitched especially good in San Francisco.
So what’s the gists on Bauer’s two year suspension? I guess time is the main factor and it’s somewhat going to be influenced by the outcome of the appeal he’s filed. Did MLB make public any so called findings from their investigation? Of that I’m completely unaware as this now is my first inquiring and I’m not up to speed on current events. I pretty certain someone here is. So please fill me in.
MLB has not made any findings available because TB would sue their ass off. I expect he will win but it may be in Federal Court.
Kind of like Depp
Wait, why are you inquiring about Trevor Bauer??
Curiosity. As I can see two years suspended an attempt to validate their judgement as it had already been more than a year, so they couldn’t back down. I’ve been of opinion that MLB has way overstepped their power in several issues. Do you know of anything? Because I don’t.
So I was casually watching the game last night and thought I saw Pablo Sandoval walking to the plate. Wait! He’s long since moved on. It turned out it was Joc Peterson. He’s listed at 6’1” and 220. He hasnt seen 220 in awhile. He’s the new “Drive-thru Panda”.
For all the Joc sniffers, I know he was 2 for 4, with 2 rbi. To paraphrase Mickey LolIch, he doesn’t hit with his stomach.
Walkers elbow pain is certainly not good. I’m rooting it’s just inflammation. But I’d like to caution all the semi-professional orthopeadic surgeons, that there is no scientific evidence the would support speculation that Walker was overused last season and it damaged his elbow. The Dodgers are super careful about overusing guys but you know how to eliminate potential arm issues? You don’t pitch at all.
If you do pitch, you might break down. Some pitchers have arm trouble and others don’t even as pitch counts become lower and lower.
LaRussa caught criticism when he extended Dylan Cease the other day. Me included. It was the 40 pitch inning where he was obviously done that bothered me. But the 130 total was also questioned. I remember when 130 pitches was par for starters. I’m still not convinced that a pitcher can’t be conditioned and extended to 125 or more pitches safely, especially in August and September. But no organization is going to risk that with their starters.
I certainly hope the news on Walker is better than I anticipate.
Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw Activated For Start on Saturday
In order to make room for him on the active roster, the Dodgers optioned Justin Bruihl.
7:15 PM ET
Dodgers (37-21)
Giants (31-26)
SP Clayton Kershaw L
4-0 1.80 ERA 30IP 32K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Trea Turner R
DH Max Muncy L
C Will Smith R
3B J. Turner R
CF C. Bellinger L
LF Chris Taylor R
2B Gavin Lux L
0% Rain
64° Wind 12 mph Out
Prayers go out to the Sax family. Heartbreaking loss.
Thank you Captain Sax for your service and sacrifice.
DODGERS PLACE WALKER BUEHLER ON THE IL
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled right-handed pitcher Michael Grove and placed right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler on the injured list with a right forearm strain.
Grove, 26, returns for his third stint with the club and he is 0-0 with a 5.79 ERA (3 ER/4.2 IP) and three strikeouts in two games for the Dodgers this season. In the minors, he is a combined 0-1 with a 3.65 ERA (10 ER/24.2 IP) and 26 strikeouts between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City. Prior to his first Major League assignment, he was 0-1 with a 2.76 ERA (5 ER/16.1 IP) and 22 strikeouts in five starts for Double-A Tulsa. He has been with the Dodgers since being drafted in the second round of the 2018 First Year Player Draft out of the University of West Virginia. In his minor league career, he is a combined 1-10 with a 6.54 ERA (107 ER/147.1 IP) and 187 strikeouts in 49 games (47 starts).
Buehler, 27, heads to the injured list for the first time this season and the fifth time in his career. He made 12 starts for the Dodgers this season, going 6-3 with a 4.02 ERA (29 ER/65.0 IP) and 58 strikeouts. In his career, spanning six seasons with the Dodgers, the right-hander is a combined 46-16 with a 3.02 ERA (214 ER/638.1 IP) and 690 strikeouts. The Two-time All-Star was originally drafted in the first round of the 2015 First Year Player Draft out of Vanderbilt University.
The Dodgers could have a rotation replacement for Buehler in relatively short order, as Roberts said that Andrew Heaney is set for another rehab start on Tuesday and could be activated from the IL for the Dodgers’ game with the Guardians on June 19. Los Angeles also has off-days on both Monday and Thursday, so a fifth starter won’t be immediately necessary in the short term.
Grove isn’t any good. I wonder why Marshall Kasowski hasn’t been given a chance at the major league level? Besides his rookie year in the minors and 2021 when I believe he was pitching injured, his other years in the minors have been fantastic.
I remember Buehler pitching against the Rays on that key game in the 2020 WS. I forget if it was game five. It was pretty close to a must win situation.
Buehler threw straight gas. He blew guys away. I had a sense that he wasn’t trying to fool anyone. He was just saying “eff you! Hit this!”
It was impressive. It was a key performance. It gave us a WS win.
I was impressed, but but also had an uneasy feeling. I remember thinking, ” He’s not pitching. He’s throwing.” I knew that this approach was unsustainable. Sooner or later he’d blow out his arm – again – or he’d simply lose the ability to blow guys away.
Not sure what his future is, but it’s an illustration of the inherent frailty of invincibility.
Hopefully he’s not another Tim Lincecum, – another skinny kid who who got his results from maximum effort and flamed out prematurely.
Did I mention I hate losing to the Giants????
What I hate is this tendency we have of not playing good baseball against them.
See Almonte. Like a curse.
Well that was pathetic
Bases loaded nobody out and the result no runs.
With Freeman choking and swinging at ball for and TT first pitch grounding into. DP, that was the worst two pitch sequence imaginable.
So now we have to swing to sliders out of the zone?
When is the last time that both Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts struck out swinging at pitches far outside the strike zone with the bases loaded? Guessing probably never. Throw in Gavin Lux striking out looking at ball four, and it’s clearly Murphy at work (anything that can go wrong will go wrong)..
Minor correction here…..Gavin Lux swung on a 2-2 pitch, not a 3-2 pitch.
Lux did not strike out looking on ball four.
He swung and missed at a ball low and the count was 2-2.
But the 2-1 pitch in that sequence was at least 4-5 inches outside. That was a horrific call by the plate umpire.
Huge diffrence between a 2-2 or 3-1 count in that at bat.
Other than that I am with you. Both Mookie and Freddie messed up . Freeman overall so far is a big disappointment to me. Especially his complete power outage.
7th and 8th inning was painful to watch if you are a Dodgers fan.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!
My goodness, what we as fans have done wrong to have to endure this?
I feel you brother. The only consolation I have, is that if we won every game it wouldn’t be fun to watch
Having said that I almost threw my phone at the television in the top of the eight inning
Thank goodness you are a Dodger Fan and only have to show restraint now and then. If you were an Angels fan you might have a busted phone and TV by now.
Good to see Ferguson back. Once he gets some real confidence again he will be a real asset in the BP.
The sky is falling! Again!
Looking at Dodgers potential I have to say they suck because they’ve all once proven they play a far better game. It don’t matter that they’re ahead of so many teams that suck worse. It’s almost that there’s an effort to just play a little better than the competition. I want to see them play their best with a killer instinct. But weaker teams too often best them. Maybe we’ll see them fire on all cylinders sometime this season. I hope they read this.
Absolutely agree. Given their pedigree and the payroll they underachieve.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rockies beating the Pads in the second game in the 9th 6-2. So if they hold on we will be .5 ahead. Now stories are saying Buehler will be out 6-8 weeks and maybe more. Did I mention I hate losing to the Giants???????
Buehler out for 3 months; starters ‘have to step up’
Kershaw’s return spoiled by lackluster offense, prognosis for right-hander
12:06 AM EDT
Juan ToribioJuan Toribio
@juanctoribio
SAN FRANCISCO — When Walker Buehler left his start on Friday night with right elbow discomfort, the Dodgers didn’t want to speculate, but they knew they were going to be without the right-hander for a significant amount of time.
On Saturday, Buehler traveled back to Los Angeles and underwent an MRI that revealed a flexor strain in his right forearm, according to manager Dave Roberts. The good news for the Dodgers is that Buehler, who was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday, won’t need surgery to repair the damage.
But given that he will then have to go through a full buildup after getting cleared to pick up a ball, the Dodgers are preparing to be without Buehler for at least three months.
If WB can come back early-mid September it could be a blessing in disguise for the Dodgers.
He should be well rested for the stretch run and hopefully postseason play. But it is a huge IF !
A trade for Montas or some other high caliber starter became more likely.
lf I am the Dodgers I would give Stone and Miller a look too.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IF it’s three months as stated that Buehler will be out for, the Dodger pitching staff will have make up for approximately 18 of his starts. The ball is now in AF’s and BG’s court what to do. next.
I say give the ball to Mitch White every 5th day and see what he can do. I really liked his last 2 starts. With some confidence and role consistency maybe he can be a mini Gonsolin. And how much more can AF do? Our payroll is insane. Time for more players to step up and earn their paychecks!