Walker Buehler to pitch in Friday’s intrasquad game

The Dodgers play their penultimate intrasquad game on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium, though some of the focus is on a couple pitchers throwing in the next few days.

Walker Buehler is scheduled to pitch two innings in Friday’s intrasquad game, after throwing a pair of bullpen sessions this week. It will be Buehler’s first intrasquad appearance of camp, part of a slower build-up than several pitchers in camp after not throwing much during the downtime between spring and summer.

“I know Walker feels good, and we’re going to be very careful with how we continue to build him up, but I do expect him ready for opening day,” manager Dave Roberts said via conference call Thursday.

Tony Gonsolin, who reported to camp on July 8 after missing the first five workouts at Dodger Stadium, threw a couple bullpen sessions this week, and is scheduled to face hitters in a simulated situation Saturday, when the Dodgers don’t have an intrasquad game scheduled.

Gonsolin was nominally in the mix for David Price’s rotation slot along with Ross Stripling and Dustin May, but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards, at least to start the regular season.

“We see Tony as a starting pitcher, but he has a lot of versatility,” Roberts said. “Anything can happen, and we haven’t set a roster yet. But I certainly see Tony of huge value for us in some capacity throughout the season.”

Gonsolin started six games and pitched five games in relief in the majors in 2019.

Lux back

Gavin Lux spoke with reporters via Zoom call on Thursday, and didn’t disclose why he missed the first week of workouts at Dodger Stadium.

“It’s personal information that I don’t think is anybody’s business,” said Lux, who reported to Dodgers camp on July 10. “I’m here, ready to go, and just focused on moving forward. I’m ready to get playing.”

Lux also said he took live batting practice and worked out at home in Wisconsin before reporting, and feels he’ll be ready for opening day.

Notes

• Keibert Ruiz, who is the only member of the Dodgers’ 40-man roster who hasn’t reported to summer camp, was placed on the injured list Monday. The reason for the roster move was not disclosed by the team.
• Ruiz is the fourth Dodger on the injured list, along with non-roster players Edwin Uceta, Zach Reks, and Cody Thomas. Roberts said he didn’t have a timetable for any of their returns, but that director of player health Ron Porterfield has been in contact with all three non-roster players.
• Roberts said the team will continue to practice the extra-inning rule with a runner on second base to start an inning, in both Thursday and Friday’s intrasquad game. They did the same on Wednesday night, and Roberts mentioned it was part of a competition between teams drafted by Justin Turner and Kiké Hernandez.

Game info

Time: 6:40 p.m. PT

TV: SportsNet LA

Streaming: Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube