Walker Buehler has an old-school goal – pitch 200 innings for the Dodgers
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Walker Buehler has a very old-school goal for such a new-age pitcher.
“I want to pitch 200 innings,” Buehler said after pitching two perfect innings against the Colorado Rockies in his spring debut Saturday. “That was my goal last year. That will be my goal this year. You have to pitch pretty well to get there. Two hundred innings is my goal, always has been. Maybe if I do it, I’ll change it. But that’s it.”
He got close last season. While going 14-4 with a 3.26 ERA in the regular season and allowing one run in two postseason starts, Buehler pitched 195 innings (182 1/3 in the regular season).
The Dodgers haven’t asked a starter to throw 185 innings in the regular season, let alone 200, since 2015 when Clayton Kershaw (232 2/3) and Zack Greinke (222 2/3) were old-style workhorses. Since then, depth and a “load management” approach to handling starting pitchers has taken over. Last year, Buehler was the first starter to make 30 starts in a season since Kershaw and Greinke in 2015.
Entering his third season in the Dodgers’ starting rotation, it is tantalizing to think what the next step might be for the 25-year-old Buehler.
“You just really don’t know how good Walker can be,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Obviously, the big games that he’s pitched in and how he’s responded is very telling. But I think for all of us it’s exciting to see what’s next.”
For his part, Buehler said he feels no added responsibility in the Dodgers’ starting rotation now that he has established himself as an ace in the making.
“No. We got another Cy Young winner that got pushed into this rotation,” he said, referring to the addition of David Price to a rotation that also features three-time winner Clayton Kershaw. “Being here a little bit longer now, you’re always a little bit more invested and know the guys. I’m more comfortable being a Dodger. But I wouldn’t say the pressure changes much.”
ALVAREZ DECISION
When he signed with the Dodgers in July 2015, Cuban right-hander Yadier Alvarez was considered one of the prizes of the international free-agent market. The hard-throwing 19-year-old was a $32 million investment for the Dodgers – a $16 million signing bonus and $16 million more in tax penalty for exceeding their international bonus limit with a binge of signings that summer.
That investment looks like a sunk cost now.
Alvarez never made it past Double-A, pitching in just two games there before going on the restricted list last season. Alvarez reported to camp this spring, acknowledging he had been “acting like a child” and vowing to show better focus and maturity in what he knew might be his last chance.
But a day after he was supposed to pitch in a Cactus League for the first time, the Dodgers activated him from the restricted list and designated him for assignment. The Dodgers now have 10 days to waive, trade or release him.
Alvarez felt discomfort in his right shoulder/latissimus area while warming up to enter Friday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers and was expected to have an MRI in the next day or so. Because Alvarez has no major-league service time, the Dodgers had the right to DFA him Saturday before an upcoming deadline.
ALSO
Right-hander Blake Treinen threw to hitters in a live batting practice session Saturday for the first time this spring. The Dodgers have given him extra time to work on some mechanical adjustments they believe led to his regression in 2019 after an outstanding 2018 season. …
Price and Julio Urias are scheduled to make their first Cactus League appearances Monday.
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