Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler is expected to make his much-anticipated return to the mound on Monday. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced after the team’s 8-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday the plan is for Buehler to get his first start since returning from Tommy John surgery on Monday.

Assuming all goes to plan, Buehler will get the start in front of the home crowd at Dodger Stadium with an advantageous matchup against the Miami Marlins.

Ahead of the start, Roberts laid out his expectations for Buehler’s return, including the nerves he’ll likely face.

“I think he’s going to still be Walker. He’s going to be attacking. But I think that there’s an attacking with his entire repertoire. I think that in years past, it was heavy fastball, heavy cutter where I think that Walker has more weapons. And I think that’s what my hope is, instead of just trying to bully guys. It’s different for everyone (returning from a major injury). … As you haven’t been competing at this level for quite some time, to sort of feel, figure out, see where you’re at at this point in time. … I’m sure there’s going to be some anxiousness, some nerves, that there naturally should be, until you kind of get a couple starts under your belt. You know, Clayton Kershaw is going to have it when he comes back. So if he’s going to have that, sure as heck Walker’s gonna have that too, which is normal.”

It’s been a long time coming for Buehler, who has missed almost the entirety of the last two seasons working his way back from injury. While the Dodgers thought he could come back toward the end of the 2023 season, he decided it wasn’t enough time to fully get himself back.

When he was last healthy for the 2021 season, Buehler had a 2.47 ERA and an MLB All-Star. His return should come with cautious optimism, but nonetheless, it’s still exciting to see Buehler finally ready to make his comeback.