Walker Buehler’s breakout rookie campaign has hit another speed bump.
The Los Angeles Dodgers sent the 23-year-old righty down to Class A just before their game against Colorado on Friday, per MLB.com’s Jon Morosi.
#Dodgers optioned Walker Buehler to Class A, moments before the start of Friday’s game. They will play with a 24-man roster tonight. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 30, 2018
Buehler was an absolute revelation for the Dodgers when he was called up in April, posting a 2.20 ERA and striking out 48 batters in his first seven career starts. However, he suffered a rib injury earlier this month and was rocked by the Chicago Cubs for five earned runs in just one inning when he made his return to the lineup (out of the bullpen) on Thursday.
Having to send Buehler down, presumably to get him stretched back out, has to sting for a Dodgers team that has battled injuries to and/or ineffectiveness from their starting pitchers this season. But at least they got some positive signs from elsewhere in their rotation this week.
