Heading into the 2017 season, Cody Bellinger figured to join the Los Angeles Dodgers for his MLB debut come September, and the same held true for Alex Verdugo. Walker Buehler, entering his first full year since Tommy John surgery, quickly joined that conversation.
Buehler impressed during throwing sessions at Camelback Ranch, and it left the team pondering including him on their roster once it came time to break camp. That opportunity would’ve afforded Buehler a chance to pitch at either Dodger Stadium or Angel Stadium.
The right-handed prospect was instead optioned to Minor League camp, but all that did was simply delay the inevitable.