Red Sox place Buehler on IL with right shoulder bursitis

The Boston Red Sox placed starting pitcher Walker Buehler on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder bursitis, the team announced.

Buehler's IL stint is retroactive to Tuesday. Right-hander Hunter Dobbins was recalled from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move.

Manager Alex Cora expressed optimism that Buehler's absence will be brief.

"We don't think it's that serious," Cora said, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive. "Miss two starts and hopefully be back as soon as the days are over."

The right-hander was scheduled to pitch Friday against the Minnesota Twins but returned to Boston on Thursday to undergo tests after experiencing soreness in his shoulder.

Buehler has battled injuries in recent years. He missed the entire 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and threw only 75 1/3 innings during the regular season in 2024.

The veteran owns a 4.28 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 29 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings pitched this season, his first with the Red Sox after leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers to sign a one-year deal worth just over $21 million.

Buehler holds a career 3.31 ERA (124 ERA+) across 747 1/3 innings.