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 2017-24, 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, and ultimately joined the Boston Red Sox. They released him midway through the 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 placed as high as fourth in Cy Young voting during his time in Los Angeles. After leaving L.A., though, things didn’t go so smoothly.
Through 23 outings with the Red Sox, Buehler had a 5.45 ERA. He allowed 22 home runs in as many starts for Boston, and they ultimately released him at the end of Aug. 2025.
The Phillies picked him up a few days after, and he performed better after returning to the National League. He had a 0.66 ERA through three appearances with Philadelphia, but he didn’t pitch in the postseason as his new team lost to the Dodgers in the NLDS.
How Does Walker Buehler Fit with the Padres?
The Padres have taken heavy losses this offseason, mainly in the pitching department.
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 space open for Buehler if they run a traditional five-man rotation.
Buehler has shown the ability to compete in MLB in the past, and has a real shot at re-establishing himself as a proven MLB starter in 2026 if he makes the Opening Day rotation.
What do you think of Buehler’s choice to join a division rival?
