Walker Buehler is up to have an elbow surgery

This is a big blow to the Dodgers’ World Series hopes, as Walker Buehler has been their best pitcher this season. He was recently named an All-Star for the first time and was in the running for the NL Cy Young Award.

Buehler was scheduled to start the Dodgers’ game against the San Francisco Giants on Aug. 22, but he was scratched due to elbow soreness. An MRI later revealed a partial UCL tear, which led to the decision for him to undergo surgery.

The procedure will be performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who also operated on Clayton Kershaw’s back in 2016. Buehler was in the midst of another strong campaign when he went down with the injury. In 11 starts, he compiled a 3-1 record with a 2.63 ERA and 1.04 WHIP while striking out 61 batters in 60.2 innings pitched.

But after being evaluated by Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Tuesday, it was decided that Buehler will require the surgical procedure to speed up the healing process. Buehler had been pitching through discomfort in his right elbow since early September and was finally shut down for the season on October 1.

In his final three starts of the regular season, the right-hander posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP while surrendering four home runs in 15 innings of work.

Walker is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for spring training next year. In 32 starts since the 2018 regular season, he compiled a 8-5 record with a 3.26 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 155 strikeouts in 134 innings of work. He also made two starts in the postseason and was 1-0 with a 2.61 ERA.

The 28-year-old right-hander was a key piece of the Dodgers’ rotation last season as well, going 14-4 with a 3.26 ERA and 1.14 WHIP en route to helping Los Angeles win its seventh consecutive NL West title.