Dodgers’ Walker Buehler, Yoshinobu Yamamoto working to become viable rotation options

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers’ playoff rotation is a riddle to be solved over the next two months. Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto spent Tuesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium trying to show their viability as options.

Buehler threw a bullpen session, his first since rejoining the team after a month spent (in part) working away from the organization at Cressey Sports Performance in Florida. Buehler used the time to heal a hip injury and try to make some adjustments after posting a 5.84 ERA in his first eight starts following flexor tendon repair and a second Tommy John surgery.

“I felt like Buehler before the injury obviously had some tough games, but I felt like he was pretty close and the stuff was in place. It was more execution, which is an easier bet to make with someone who competes like we know he does,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “It’s harder when you’re relying on stuff improvement.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts watched Buehler’s bullpen session and called it “a good day” for Buehler.

“What stood out for me was the fastball, the life to the fastball,” Roberts said. “The delivery to most people’s eyes doesn’t look different. But I think the delivery was cleaned up, more efficient, consistent. Command was good with the fastball. The secondary was fine.

“We’ll circle up and figure out what’s next for Walker.”

That will “likely” be a minor-league injury rehabilitation assignment, Roberts said.

Meanwhile, Yamamoto continues on his throwing program as he tries to return from a strained rotator cuff. He has stretched out to more than 200 feet at times in long toss and increased the intensity from shorter distances.

Yamamoto has not thrown off a mound since his injury in mid-June but he said it is his “goal” to return and pitch again this season. General Manager Brandon Gomes expressed confidence, based on what he’s seen, that it’s an attainable goal.

“The way he’s progressing and how he’s feeling and going through the process right now, we feel really good he’ll be back before the end of the year,” Gomes said.

PICK SIGNS

The Dodgers have agreed to terms on a contract with their first-round pick in this year’s draft, infielder Kellon Lindsey. Lindsey was committed to the University of Florida but indicated on draft night that he preferred to sign with the Dodgers and start his professional career.

Lindsey agreed to a $3.3 million deal, the second-highest bonus the Dodgers have given to a draftee (behind the $5.25 million bonus they gave to Zach Lee in 2010) but it is slightly below the slot bonus for the 23rd overall pick ($3.6 million).

The Dodgers have also reportedly signed their ninth- and 10th-round picks (outfielder Kole Myers and right-hander Seamus Barrett). Both were college seniors and received very small bonuses, leaving the Dodgers more to work with from their bonus pool of $6.1 million.

TOKYO SERIES

When the Dodgers traveled to Seoul to start this season, they spent a week in South Korea, playing two exhibition games (against the Kiwoom Heroes and the Korean national team) before playing two regular-season games against the San Diego Padres.

Next year’s Tokyo Series will follow that same format. The Dodgers are expected to spend a week in Japan and play two exhibition games at the Tokyo Dome before playing two regular-season games against the Chicago Cubs.

One difference – the Dodgers and Padres each had a home game during the two-game Seoul Series. The Cubs will be the home team for both games in Tokyo next year, March 18 and 19.

MOOKIE PROGRESS

Mookie Betts confirmed that he has begun taking “dry swings” – no ball involved. He said he expects to do that for another two or three days before progressing to hitting lightly off a tee – probably with a tennis ball in order to lessen the impact. He said he has no pain in his injured left hand but he has to get used to the vibration caused by hitting a baseball before he is ready to advance to soft toss and then taking batting practice.

All of that will likely take another three to four weeks.

UP NEXT

Giants (LHP Robbie Ray, 2024 debut) at Dodgers (RHP Tyler Glasnow, 8-5, 3.47 ERA), Wednesday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, MLB Network, 570 AM