Former Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres on Monday.
Buehler pitched for the Dodgers from 2017 to 2024, missing the 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The right-hander turned down a $20 million offer from the Dodgers after entering free agency at the end of the 2024 season, eventually joining the Boston Red Sox. They released him mid-season and he finished the year with the Philadelphia Phillies.
How did Walker Buehler pitch after leaving the Dodgers?
Buehler put together a solid career with the Dodgers, making 131 appearances and maintaining a 3.27 ERA. He made two All-Star Games with the Dodgers and even finished fourth in the Cy Young voting during his time in Los Angeles. However, things didn’t go so smoothly after leaving LA.
In 23 appearances with the Red Sox, Buehler had an ERA of 5.45. He allowed 22 home runs in as many starts for Boston, and they eventually released him in late August 2025.
The Phillies picked him up a few days later and he performed better after returning to the National League. He had an ERA of 0.66 in three appearances with Philadelphia, but he did not pitch in the postseason as his new team lost to the Dodgers in the NLDS.
How does Walker Buehler fit in with the Padres?
The Padres have suffered heavy losses this offseason, especially in pitching.
They managed to keep Michael King by re-signing him to a three-year deal, but lost Dylan Cease to free agency, Nestor Cortes to free agency and Yu Darvish to a season-ending injury. Their current core of starters consists of King, Nick Pivetta, Joe Musgrove and Randy Vasquez, leaving a single slot open for Buehler if they run a traditional five-man rotation.
Buehler has shown in the past that he is capable of competing in the MLB and has a real chance to re-establish himself as a proven MLB starter in 2026 if he makes it on Opening Day.
What do you think of Buehler’s choice to join a division rival?
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