Dodgers activate Walker Buehler

May 7th, 2024

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers activated right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler off the injured list and placed right-handed pitcher Joe Kelly on the injured list with right posterior shoulder strain.

Buehler, 29, will make the start for the Dodgers this evening against the Marlins. It will be his first start since June 10, 2022 at San Francisco. The Kentucky native missed all the 2023 season as he recovered from elbow surgery. Prior to the injury, the two-time All-Star was in his sixth season with the Dodgers and he was a combined 46-16 with a 3.02 ERA and 690 strikeouts in 638.1 innings. He helped the Dodgers to their first World Championship in 32 seasons in 2020, going 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five postseason starts. He was drafted by the Dodgers in the 2015 with the 24th overall pick out of Vanderbilt University.

Kelly, 36, pitched 0.1 innings yesterday, stranding a runner and recording his ninth hold of the season. He has appeared in 15 games this season, allowing seven runs in 13.1 innings with 14 strikeouts. Since allowing a season-high four earned runs on March 30, Kelly has thrown 11.2 innings, allowing three runs with 14 strikeouts. He has been in the Major Leagues 13 seasons, recording a 53-37 record with a 3.96 ERA and 746 strikeouts in 465 games (81 starts). He signed with the Dodgers on December 11, 2023.