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 15 days were up.

Buehler echoed that sentiment on Sunday.

Speaking to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe and Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, Buehler said 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 said he thinks he’ll miss 2-3 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) 2025-05-04T15:55:41.666Z

Buehler was placed on the IL on Friday after Cora said 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 currently in his first season in Boston after signing a one-year, $21.05 million deal this past offseason, and so far the two-time All-Star is 4-1 with a 4.28 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 33.2 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 result 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 14.

Upcoming starters

Cora announced 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 most recent 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.