:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71246667/1403150418.0.jpg "Walker Buehler injury update: Dodgers SP to undergo season-ending elbow surgery")
Los Angeles Dodgers SP Walker Buehler will undergo season-ending elbow surgery on August 23, the team announced Monday. Things had been optimistic for Buehler in his recovery after undergoing a different elbow procedure to remove bone spurs. The Dodgers had anticipated Buehler returning this season. Now, L.A. will have to make a run in the playoffs without arguably their best starter.
Buehler appeared in 12 games this season, going 6-3 with a 4.02 ERA. It wasn't a great start to the season for Buehler, who finished fourth in Cy Young voting in 2021 after going 16-4 with a 2.47 ERA. This injury could put the Dodgers in a tricky position in the postseason.
Clayton Kershaw is currently on the injured list due to a back injury. He's expected to return this season before the playoffs. Still, beyond Kershaw, Julio Urias, Tyler Anderson and Tony Gonsolin, the Dodgers lack depth in the bullpen. If anything were to happen to Kershaw, trying to win the World Series with Urias, Anderson and Gonsolin could prove to be difficult.
The Dodgers entered Monday as the favorites to win the World Series at +380. It's more of a testament to the bullpen and batting order, which is still pretty stacked. Los Angeles could run into some trouble in the NL having to go through the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, who have Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer at the top of their rotation. If the Dodgers' bats go cold, it could be the end of them.