Walker Buehler injury update: Dodgers’ right-hander to undergo season-ending elbow surgery

The Dodgers will be without one of their best starting pitchers for the remainder of the 2022 season.

Team Walker Buehler, announced Monday, will be shut down for the remainder of the season after undergoing season-ending elbow surgery on Aug. 23.

Buehler has been out since June 10 but has had another solid season for the Dodgers. In 12 starts spanning 65 innings of work, Buhler had a 4.02 ERA and 3.81 FIP with 58 strikeouts, 17 walks and an opponent batting average of .263.

Buehler owns a 3.02 ERA in his career. He has had the best season of his career, posting a 2.47 ERA in 207.2 innings.

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Here’s the latest on Buehler’s injury.

What is Walker Buehler’s injury?

The Dodgers said Buehler was out since June 10 with a grade 2 flexor strain in his right elbow and that surgery will repair that elbow.

This isn’t the first time Buehler has had elbow surgery. After being drafted by the Dodgers from Vanderbilt in 2015, Buehler underwent Tommy John surgery and only returned to the Mound in August 2016.

How long will Walker Buehler be out?

There’s no timeline yet for when Buehler could return, barring a season-ending injury.

With pitchers and catchers reporting in February, the Dodgers will surely be hoping he gets back in time to be ready for spring training. But that depends on his recovery from the surgery in the coming months.

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Who will replace Walker Buehler in the rotation?

The Dodgers have plenty of pitching depth, but there’s no doubt Buehler’s long-term absence could test that now as the season progresses.

While Buehler has been out since June 10, Clayton Kershaw has been placed on the injured list after leaving his start early on August 4. Andrew Heaney was forced out of Saturday’s game after being hit by a comebacker.

But the Dodgers should get a boost soon as Dustin May continues to close in on a return from Tommy John surgery. He has made five starts in triple-A and has been dominant, with a 1.89 ERA with 33 strikeouts and just six walks in 19 innings. Los Angeles said he could be back as early as August 19.

The rotation without Kershaw and Buehler would likely look something like Tyler Anderson, Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin, Ryan Pepiot and Heaney until May returns, assuming Heaney can make his next scheduled start. If he’s not, Michael Grove, who had a spot start earlier in the season, could be promoted to make a spot start.