The Dodgers signed the first player they chose in the June draft, Vanderbilt pitcher Walker Buehler, but not the second, Louisville pitcher Kyle Funkhouser.
Buehler, the 24th overall pick, received a $1.78 million signing bonus — $314,000 below the slot value. Why the steep discount?
According to multiple reports Friday, Buehler has a torn ligament in his right elbow that will require Tommy John surgery. The procedure typically knocks pitchers out of action for 12 months or more.
Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi didn’t comment on the report.
As for Funkhouser, who was advised by agent Scott Boras, Zaidi said the Dodgers made a “very aggressive” offer above the slot value ($1.