Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Explains Decision to Shut Down Walker Buehler

After miraculously coming back to the mound in short order from his second Tommy John, the Dodgers announced that Walker Buehler would not return to the major league roster in 2023.

Though a disappointing answer to hear on the talented righty, LA skipper Dave Roberts explained the thought process behind the decision to help the team's long-term plans.

Dave Roberts: “Given where we're at, on the schedule where he's at in his progression, I think we all just came to the decision that it was best to just not try to force something to potentially affect him next year and beyond for his career.”

Should be good for start of spring. https://t.co/hwkgddBGXF
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 8, 2023

Despite a strong rehab start in Oklahoma City for Buehler last week, the team decided that his return shouldn't be rushed for the sake of just one ring.

“It’s nothing specific,” Roberts added. “It’s more of, facing hitters in a game, adrenaline, effort and so it just took a little bit longer (to recover after that outing). … The smart thing to do was to kind of say that was enough for this. … No more rehab games and now our focus is to build him up for 2024.”

Via SportsNet LA

Such a thought process becomes all the more sensible considering the fate of one pitcher who had ties to their current opponent in the Nationals in Stephen Strasburg.

Though Strasburg and his Washington teammates beat the Dodgers on the road in game 5 of the 2019 NLDS, his heroic efforts en route to World Series MVP honors against Houston may have ended his career all too short.

Due to various injuries, Strasburg was unable to complete a single fully healthy year on a fresh extension he'd signed after winning game 7 of the 2019 Fall Classic against the Astros and retired earlier this season after just a few games since the new contract.

A cautionary reminder, the Dodgers won't risk the same conditions for their own promising pitcher, especially off of Buehler's second major elbow surgery.

Frustrating as it may be, the fact that the former Vanderbilt product even showed a glimpse of a 2023 return to the postseason is nothing short of amazing for his chances to pitch well once more at the major league.

Though LA's postseason rotation or bullpen will surely miss his services this coming October, it's always been evident that their front office looks ahead past just the current day.

However, what's become clearer by the day a glimpse of the Dodgers' future pitching core may be necessary for them to win it all in 2023.