Dodgers' Buehler will have season-ending elbow surgery

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler will undergo season-ending elbow surgery Aug. 23, the club announced Monday.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Buehler felt elbow discomfort after playing catch last week, according to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. However, Roberts said he doesn't believe Tommy John surgery is a possibility, although he added that the team will know more after the scheduled procedure.

Roberts added the decision to get surgery was made after Buehler had an MRI last week, per Harris. Roberts also said there is no timetable for recovery yet.

Buehler was shut down with a ligament strain in his right elbow in mid-June. The Dodgers initially expected him to pitch again in 2022 as that injury didn't require surgery at the time.

The 28-year-old then had bone spurs removed from his right elbow a few days after the strain was diagnosed. The procedure was unrelated to the first injury.

The two-time All-Star ends the year with a 4.02 ERA and 58 strikeouts over 65 innings (12 starts). He finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting in 2021.