Dodgers' Walker Buehler on track for spring debut early next week

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler is expected to make his Cactus League debut next Monday or Tuesday.

What It Means:

Buehler shouldered 137 1/3 innings last season during his first full stint in the majors, so the Dodgers have been taking it real easy with the 24-year-old right-hander. However, there's no concern about Buehler's availability for his first turn in the regular-season rotation. He spun a stellar 2.62 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 151 strikeouts and 37 walks in 2018.

numberFire's models expect Buehler to pick up 11 wins this season while recording a 3.20 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 176 K and 49 BB across 160 1/3 innings.