Dodgers’ Mike Bolsinger adjusts to irregular schedule in return to rotation

Mike Bolsinger will take the mound Sunday in the Dodgers’ series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates looking to recapture his magic from earlier in the season.

“Right now, I want to focus on getting back to where I was,” he said.

Bolsinger was 5-3 with a 2.86 earned-run average when the Dodgers acquired Alex Wood and Mat Latos in a three-team trade July 30. The additions resulted in Bolsinger’s being down to triple-A Oklahoma City.

He returned to the Dodgers when rosters expanded on Sept. 1. Since reclaiming his place in the rotation — Latos was designated for assignment Thursday — Bolsinger has allowed six runs in 8 2/3 innings in his two starts this month.

Part of his challenge is dealing with an irregular schedule. Bolsinger’s first start this month was Sept. 4, the second on Sept. 12. His start Sunday will also be on one week of rest.

Bolsinger knows the Dodgers are most concerned with the schedules of their top three starters, Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Brett Anderson. Manager Don Mattingly will set their turns in the rotation, then everyone else’s.

“I understand my role,” Bolsinger said.

Still, he acknowledged the frequent changes in the rotation schedule might have disrupted his rhythm.

Planning bullpen sessions can be tricky.

“That’s definitely the tough part about this kind of role, not knowing when you can schedule your bullpens,” he said. “Sometimes I’ve gone without throwing a bullpen. In a way it kind of affects how sharp you are.”

Bolsinger has compensated for that by throwing on flat ground every day.

“I’m trying to figure out a new routine the rest of the year,” he said.

Waiting game

First-round draft pick Walker Buehler visited Dodger Stadium with his family Saturday, more than six weeks after he underwent Tommy John elbow ligament-replacement surgery.

A 21-year-old right-hander from Vanderbilt, Buehler is currently rehabilitating at the Dodgers’ spring-training complex in Arizona. He said the plan for him is to start throwing next fall in the instructional league.

“I’d rather do it now than get two years into this thing and then have to have it,” Buehler said of the surgery.

The injury was discovered during a physical examination Buehler underwent to finalize his contract with the Dodgers. Buehler, who settled for a reduced bonus of $1.78 million, said he was surprised. Not long before that, he was firing fastballs in the mid-90s at the College World Series.

“It’s kind of symbolic of this game,” he said. “I think this game is really high and low. You hit a home run, then you strike out your next at-bat. I think that’s how that situation was for me. Your lifelong dream comes true and then it’s going to be put on pause for a year.”

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com

Twitter: @dylanohernandez