In a surprising twist for the Red Sox, star right-hander Walker Buehler has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his right shoulder. Manager Alex Cora broke the news, but fans are hopeful that Buehler's stay will be brief, as he had been scheduled to pitch tomorrow.

In Buehler's absence, rookie sensation Hunter Dobbins is expected to take the mound. Dobbins made a striking impression in his big league debut last month and has proven himself impressive, showing poise and skill across his two MLB starts.

Buehler's Roller Coaster Ride with the Red Sox

Buehler signed a lucrative one-year contract worth $21.05 million with Boston during the offseason, a move that matched the qualifying offer the Dodgers chose not to extend. The decision was seen as a gamble, especially given Buehler's struggles throughout the 2024 season—his first full year back following Tommy John surgery—despite some memorable playoff moments.

So far this season, Buehler’s performance has been underwhelming, with a 4.28 ERA and a significant dip in fastball velocity, averaging just 93.5 mph—his lowest ever. While his strikeout and walk rates have improved compared to last year, his current strikeout rate is a shadow of his former self when he was consistently a Cy Young contender.

Injury Woes Continue for the Red Sox

Buehler's injury comes just as the Red Sox welcomed fellow right-hander Lucas Giolito back from his own injury struggles, as he recovered from UCL surgery that sidelined him for the entirety of the previous season. The team is already coping without Kutter Crawford due to a knee issue and has seen limited action from Brayan Bello.

Despite these setbacks, the Red Sox rotation still holds a respectable 3.91 ERA, ranking them 14th in the majors. If Buehler's stint on the injured list is extended, Dobbins—who boasted an impressive 2.61 ERA in the minors last year—seems capable of stepping up to fill the gap.

Red Sox fans are certainly hoping for a swift recovery for Buehler, as the team depends on their star pitcher returning to form. In the meantime, all eyes will be on Dobbins as he prepares for his upcoming start.