Buehler lands on IL due to shoulder inflammation

Boston Red Sox right-hander Walker Buehler has inflammation in his pitching shoulder and was placed on the injured list Friday.

Buehler had returned to Boston to undergo tests on his arm. Manager Alex Cora told reporters Friday that the team doesn't believe the injury is serious and that it expects Buehler to be back in action as soon as the 15-day IL stint ends.

"Miss two starts and hopefully be back as soon as the days are over," Cora said.

Buehler had been scheduled to start against the Minnesota Twins on Friday. Brayan Bello was on the mound in his place.

Buehler is 4-1 with a 4.28 ERA in his six starts since signing a one-year, $21.05 million contract with the Red Sox in December. He allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings to beat Cleveland last Saturday, his third straight winning start.

Buehler has undergone two Tommy John surgeries during his career, and the latter one in 2022 caused him to miss the 2023 season and make his 2024 debut in May.

He last made it through a full season without issue in 2021 when he made a career-high 33 starts. He went 16-4 with a 2.47 ERA that season.

In the corresponding roster move Friday, the Red Sox recalled right-hander Hunter Dobbins from Triple-A Worcester.

The Associated Press and Field Level Media contributed to this report.