LOS ANGELES — For much of the last two years, Walker Buehler has had to process an outlook on his occupation that did not compute. The Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander had to accept that, with a twice-repaired ligament in his right elbow, there would be growing pains. He would not resemble the man who, at his best, held Dodger Stadium within his palm and forced opposing hitters to bend to his will — at least not right away.
He had to teach himself that patience before preaching it to others. His first two outings back in the major leagues looked every bit like Buehler had not pitched in the big leagues in 23 months. And yet, Buehler spoke about the small victories. Against Miami, he found the velocity he was never fully certain was still there. In San Diego, he warmed up better.
Saturday night, he found another, bigger victory. For the first time in nearly two years, he secured a win in the big leagues, delivering six scoreless innings in a 4-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
All it took was something that resembled growth for the cocky right-hander who dazzled with his brilliance in his youth but now, at 29 and a Tommy John recipient twice over, is finally willing to try something different.
“It sucks so much,” Buehler said with a smirk. “I was telling my wife (McKenzie)…
