“It’s going to be interesting,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Walker and I have spent a lot of time together. I’m sure there will be emotions.”
Buehler came out of the bullpen to get the final three outs of the World Series against the Yankees on Oct. 30, then agreed to a one-year contract with the Red Sox on Dec. 28.
He received his World Series ring and some other mementos from the Dodgers before the game on Friday, then posed for a photo with a number of former teammates.
“Kind of a fun weekend,” Buehler said.
Buehler was 5-6 with a 6.03 earned run average through his first 14 starts with the Red Sox. He has allowed six earned runs over 18 innings in three starts since, securing his place in the rotation.
“The fans [in Boston] are long and loud and kind of similar in a lot of ways to LA,” Buehler said. “It’s been a really fun year outside of some of the playing stuff for me but in terms of my family, we love it here.”
Buehler said he had conversations with the Dodgers about returning but it didn’t work out. He wasted little time before reaching an agreement with the Sox.
“They had guys they wanted to sign and I signed at a place where I wanted to play,” Buehler said.
Buehler made only 28 starts from 2022-24 because of injuries and was 7-9 with a 4.75 ERA. The Dodgers signed Blake Snell to a five-year, $137 million deal. But he has made only two starts because of shoulder inflammation.
Roki Sasaki, their other major rotation addition, had a 4.72 ERA over eights starts and hasn’t pitched since May 9 because of shoulder impingement.
“I wouldn’t change anything about my career except getting hurt,” Buehler said. “I enjoyed my time [with the Dodgers]. A lot of those playoff runs, I think I’ve grown and probably learned a lot about myself.”
Righthanded reliever Justin Slaten expected to miss maybe two weeks when he went on the injured list with a sore shoulder on June 1 in Atlanta.
“Just general fatigue, just get ahead of it,” Slaten said at the time. “Give it a little time to calm down.”
Nearly two months later, he has yet to get back on the mound. But Slaten has at least advanced to playing catch multiple times a week and hopes to get back on the mound in the next 7-10 days.
“It’s going really well right now,” Slaten said. “The last week and a half, two weeks, have been very positive. I’ve seen a ton of progress. My shoulder feels normal now. Any soreness is what would be typical after I played catch.”
Alex Cora said the Sox are confident Slaten will return to the roster this season. Slaten is 7-6 with a 3.09 ERA and five saves in 68 games since being selected in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft.
Mookie Betts was out of the Dodgers lineup for the second consecutive game but rejoined the team after traveling to Tennessee to attend to a personal matter. He pinch hit in the ninth inning with a runner on base and struck out to end a 4-2 Red Sox victory. Betts likely will be in the lineup on Sunday … Marcelo Mayer went on the injured list Friday with what was termed a sprained right wrist. The team has yet to offer further details as to the severity of the injury. Cora said Mayer is getting tests and will see a specialist. The rookie infielder has started 44 games since making his debut on May 24 … Liam Hendriks, who hasn’t pitched since May 27, was on the field playing catch at 2 p.m. The 36-year-old righthander is on the injured list with inflammation in his right hip but hopes to return this season … Cora, hitting coach Pete Fatse, and hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin were among the estimated 3,000 runners and walkers who took part in the annual Run to Home Base on Saturday morning. Richard Fitts and Tanner Houck walked the course. The event, which has raised $48 million over the years, helps fund clinical care and support for veterans and families impacted by mental health challenges as a result of their service … Kaz Uehara, the son of former Red Sox closer Koji Uehara, was on the field before the game. Kaz is an outfielder at Wofford University and is playing for Oneonta this summer in the Perfect Game Collegiate League in upstate New York.
Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him @PeteAbe.
