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Red Sox’ Walker Buehler (shoulder) hits injured list; rookie set to replace him in rotation

Walker Buehler will be placed on the injured list in the coming days. (AP Photo/David Richard)AP

BOSTON — Red Sox starter Walker Buehler doesn’t appear to have a serious shoulder injury, but that won’t stop the team from placing him on the injured list for the time being.

Buehler was placed on the 15-day IL before Friday’s game with right shoulder bursitis, according to the team. Righty Hunter Dobbins was called up from Triple-A in his place. Buehler, who was scheduled to pitch in the Sox’ series opener against the Twins, flew home early from Toronto for testing after not bouncing back well from his last start Saturday in Cleveland. The Red Sox are hopeful Buehler will be able to avoid a lengthy absence.

“He’s gonna go on the IL,” Cora said. “We don’t think it’s that serious. Miss two starts and hopefully be back as soon as the days are over.”

According to Cora, the plan is for Buehler to continue throwing while sidelined in an effort to accelerate his return. The Red Sox backdated his IL stint to April 29, making the righty eligible to return as early as May 14.

“He’ll be OK,” Cora said. “We’ll talk about it but I’m not too worried about it. (Head athletic trainer) Brandon (Henry) is not either. Hopefully, it’s something where he misses two starts and he’s right back with us.”

Brayan Bello was moved up a day to start in place of Buehler on Friday, leaving Saturday open for the Red Sox. The plan is for Dobbins to make that start, as a source said earlier in the day that Dobbins has been informed he will be called up from Triple-A and pitch. Garrett Crochet will pitch Sunday’s series finale against the Twins and the Red Sox, who two days off in an 11-day span between May 5 and May 15, will be able to manipulate their rotation from there.

Dobbins, who owns a 2.45 ERA while recording 11 strikeouts in 11 innings over his first two major league starts, projects to be the primary replacement for Buehler. The 25-year-old righty was scratched from his outing in Worcester on Thursday and has been on standby for a couple days. The Red Sox also have lefty Sean Newcomb, who has shifted to the bullpen in recent days, as another rotation fill-in option. Righty Richard Fitts is still on the injured list but is throwing on flat ground from 120 feet and is progressing well.

Buehler, signed to a one-year, $21.05 million contract over the winter, owns a 4-1 record and 4.28 ERA in his first six starts in a Red Sox uniform. After a rough two-outing start to his year, the ex-Dodger has pitched well over his last four starts, posting a 2.59 ERA in four Red Sox wins. In Cleveland on Saturday, Buehler allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings. He struck out three.

Buehler’s shoulder issue is the latest ailment on a long list of arm injuries throughout his career. With Los Angeles, Buehler returned last May after undergoing a second Tommy John surgery in August 2022 that caused him to miss the entire 2023 season. His first Tommy John surgery was in 2015.

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