Buehler attracts interested crowd during a bullpen session

A crowd gathered in the Dodgers bullpen Tuesday afternoon as rookie Walker Buehler threw about 25 pitches in front of manager Dave Roberts, pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and members of the training staff.

It was a higher intensity outing than a brief assignment over the weekend, and it bode well for Buehler’s impending return from the microfracture to his ribs that has sidelined him since June 8. Buehler is slated to throw a bullpen session Thursday, which would likely be followed by a simulated game and a minor league rehab outing.

“I want to get going as fast as possible,” Buehler said. “But per usual, people with a higher paygrade have a longterm plan, and we’ll go with that.”

He added: “I think we’re all on the same page. Me saying they’re slowing me down is not like a negative thing. I’m 23. Sometimes they’ve got to protect me from myself a little bit. That’s what they do.”

Buehler (4-1, 2.81 earnedrun average) has thrown 641⁄3 innings between the majors and the minors this season.

Buehler indicated he has made significant progress in his recovery since his last outing, which occurred two weeks after getting hit in the ribs with a line drive. He still felt some stiffness when throwing early in sessions, but nothing compared with the discomfort when he first went on the disabled list.

“Against Atlanta, I couldn’t breathe,” Buehler said. “For a week or so after the Atlanta game, I had problems with everyday movements, getting out of bed. Stuff like that sucked. But now I’m lifting pretty close to normal and moving pretty good, so I just want to feel it out.”

Taylor could play the f ield Thursday

Chris Taylor ran before Tuesday’s game, but “there’s still something in there” with his left hamstring, Roberts said. Taylor has not started in the field since last Wednesday. Roberts suggested Taylor could play the field Thursday.

He has remained an asset off the bench as a hitter, with a two-run double against New York Mets ace Jacob de- Grom on Saturday and a home run against the Chicago Cubs on Monday.

Short hops

Reliever Pedro Baez (right biceps tendinitis) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session at about 70% effort, Roberts said. Baez has been on the disabled list since June 15. He is scheduled to throw another session Friday . ... Reliever Tony Cingrani (left shoulder soreness) is expected to throw a bullpen session Wednesday.