The Padres’ latest addition to the starting rotation competition is an old nemesis who has fallen on hard times.
The team has agreed to terms on a minor-league deal with former Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler.
The 31-year-old Buehler, once one of the top pitchers in the National League, has not been near the same pitcher since undergoing a second Tommy John surgery and missing the 2023 season.
Buehler struggled in the regular season in 2024, posting a 5.38 ERA over 16 starts (75⅓ innings), but a solid postseason included his throwing five shutout innings in Game 3 of the World Series and getting the final three outs of the Dodgers’ championship by retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth inning of Game 5.
He signed a one-year, $21.05 million deal with the Red Sox before the 2025 season but was released in August after posting a 5.45 ERA in 112⅓ innings over 22 starts and a relief appearance. He finished the season with the Phillies, allowing one run in 13⅔ innings over two starts and one relief appearance.
Buehler, who is 7-1 with a 1.67 ERA in 13 starts against the Padres, had a 3.02 ERA over his first six seasons (2017 through ‘22). Since returning from his August 2022 Tommy John procedure, he has lost velocity on his fastball and command. His strikeout rate has fallen from 27% to 17.2% while his walk rate has risen from 6.3% to 9.8%.
Buehler will join Matt Waldron, Triston McKenzie, Germán Márquez and left-handers JP Sears and Marco Gonzales in a battle for what is likely one available rotation spot.
