LOS ANGELES — The biggest unknown surrounding the Los Angeles Dodgers’ fortunes this October returned to Dodger Stadium on Monday afternoon. Walker Buehler played catch in the outfield while former Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt observed in street clothes, an extra pair of eyes as Buehler looked to rediscover himself after a second Tommy John surgery.
It has been 34 days since Buehler’s return to the major leagues was put on pause. Much of that time has been spent away from the organization, nursing a nagging hip issue and trying to sort himself out at Cressey Sports Performance, a private facility in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
There, Buehler threw, accompanied by his wife McKenzie and their daughter, Finley. He also got away. Though he sent videos of his progress to the organization, much of his past month has been spent behind closed doors.
Buehler’s return from surgery did not go well. Through eight starts over May and June, he had an unwieldy 5.84 ERA. For as much as his stuff appeared to have been restored to his pre-surgery form, Buehler struggled to execute with consistency. Everything felt different than it had during his rehab appearances.
What inspired him to try something different?
“Being s—,” Buehler told The Athletic. “There’s nothing worse…
