Walker Buehler Injury Update - All-Star hurler impresses in likely final rehab start with Dodgers return imminent

The Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching rotation finally received some good news, as starting pitcher Walker Buehler is edging closer to a return for the National League West leaders.

Walker Buehler has been out of action for the Dodgers since June after he was placed on the injured list due to inflammation in his right hip. However, his second stint on the IL is set to conclude soon after the Dodgers ace likely made his final rehab start on Thursday.

Buehler went 5.1 innings deep for Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City Baseball Club on Thursday. The two-time All-Star was solid from the mound during his stint, allowing just one run over one hit and striking out five.

"Pitcher Walker Buehler allowed one run over 5.1 innings for Oklahoma City during a rehab assignment, but Round Rock rallied late to send OKC to a 7-2 loss Thursday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark."

Walker Buehler nearly missed two years of action due to Tommy John surgery before making his much-awaited return earlier this season. However, the former World Series winner looked rusty and lacked control over his pitches.

His struggles were evident, and something just didn't look right, as the 30-year-old posted a 5.84 in eight starts and conceded seven runs in his final start against the Colorado Rockies on June 19.

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Walker Buehler's return could be followed by another positive news for the Dodgers

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is likely to have Buehler at his disposal very soon. Roberts isn't concerned about Buehler's spiked numbers and believes the All-Star pitcher must return to the mound healthy.

“Honestly, I don’t think it matters,” Roberts said of Buehler’s results earlier this week. “He said he felt better about this one than the last one. The results certainly weren’t there.

"He’s an All-Star major-league pitcher. So at some point in time, you do the build up. He’s got one more, then he’s got to help us at the major-league level. It comes down to Walker competing, making pitches and us running him out there. That’s where I’m at.”

The Dodgers have struggled in their pitching, primarily due to injuries to several starters. While Clayton Kershaw made his return, Buehler will be another positive addition, with Japanese rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto also making positive strides in recovery.