Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler sat out the entire 2023 MLB season following Tommy John surgery and flexor tendon repair surgery performed over a year ago.
The 29-year-old came close to a remarkable playoff comeback this year but ultimately decided against pushing through with it.
The two-time MLB All-Star shared on the Just Baseball Show that the lingering soreness post-pitching in rehab, extending beyond a few days, contributed to his decision.
"You look at the timing of everything and I just end up being, if we were two days delayed then it didn't really make sense to be honest to keep going," Buehler shared.
The 2021 All-MLB First Team acknowledged his disappointment but expressed determination to focus on preparing for the 2024 season.
Initially, Buehler aimed to rejoin the Dodgers' rotation by September 1, a goal set shortly after his surgery.
However, the 2020 World Series champion missed that target, but he recently underwent a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City last month.
The right-hander delivered two scoreless innings for the minor league affiliate.
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Dodgers' 100-win season ends due to lackluster pitching
The Dodgers' season ended embarrassingly via a sweep in the National League Division Series due to subpar starting pitching, highlighted by three disappointing performances from the makeshift rotation against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
While Buehler's return could have supported the struggling pitching staff, the right-handed pitcher chose to delay his comeback due to the setback in his recovery from the injury.
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