Red Sox notebook: Walker Buehler optimistic, pitching matchups announced

Earlier this weekend Alex Cora expressed optimism that Walker Buehler wouldn t need to spend much time on the injured list saying he hoped the right-hander would miss a couple starts and be back after the minimum days were up Buehler echoed that sentiment on Sunday Speaking to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe and Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic Buehler reported he thinks he ll miss two or three starts but should be good to go afterwards He described his shoulder issue as relatively minor bursitis and suggested that if the Red Sox were in the playoffs he would likely have tried to pitch through it Walker Buehler announced he thinks he ll miss - starts but then should be good to go He described this as relatively minor bursitis If this was October we wouldn t be having this conversation He got an anti-inflammatory injection on Friday Alex Speier alexspeier bsky social - - T Z Buehler was placed on the IL on Friday after Cora explained he didn t bounce back well following his previous start and has been replaced in the rotation for now by rookie Hunter Dobbins Buehler is at this time in his first season in Boston after signing a one-year million deal this past offseason and so far the two-time All-Star is - with a ERA and strikeouts in innings through his first six starts The former Los Angeles Dodgers standout had been on an upwards trajectory prior to the injury throwing quality starts in three of his last four outings But given that he won t need to be shut down as a aftermath of the injury the club hopes he ll be able to pick up right where he left off upon his activation which could be as early as May Upcoming starters Cora informed that Lucas Giolito Tanner Houck and Brayan Bello will each start during this week s upcoming home series against the Texas Rangers Giolito is expected to face Nathan Eovaldi on Tuesday Houck will face Tyler Mahle on Wednesday and Bello will go up against Jack Leiter on Thursday Extra innings Right-hander Richard Fitts strained right pectoral played catch on the field Sunday and is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Monday Right-hander Kutter Crawford has been throwing live batting practice against hitters in Fort Myers His preponderance modern came on Friday and the starter is expected to throw another later this week Former Red Sox first baseman Bobby Dalbec was designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox on Sunday