The plan was hatched at the last minute. On Wednesday, Dodgers rookie Walker Buehler boarded a plane bound for Oklahoma City. The next morning, his minor-league rehab stint scuttled, he hopped a flight back to Los Angeles to pitch in a big-league game.
After determining reliever Josh Fields would need to go on the disabled list, the Dodgers intended for the ace of their present, Clayton Kershaw, to start Thursday’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs, then hand the ball to their ace of the future, Buehler, as both rebuilt their stamina while returning from injuries. Kershaw would throw five innings in his second start back, while Buehler would pitch three in a bullpen stint designed as a rehab start.