From one side of the rivalry to the other.
Walker Buehler has agreed to aminor league dealwith the Padres, hoping to make their opening day roster the rotation as a starter.
“It’s a really good opportunity to be a part of a talented ball club and looking forward to seeing what we can make of it,” he said Tuesday morning while donning thebrown and yellow Padres colors. “I think it’s the way I’ve viewed every spring, come in and try and make the team, contribute anyway I can. Obviously I’m a starter and want to start so here to try and make the rotation.”
It’s been a far fall from grace for the 31-year-old Buehler.
He was widely regarded as one of the better pitchers in baseball during his early years in Los Angeles, winning the 2020 World Series with the Dodgers while being named a two-time All-Star and and having two top-10 finishes in Cy Young voting.
But injuries have greatly derailed his career.
He had Tommy John surgery in 2022, resulting in him missing the entire 2023 season. He returned in 2024 with the Dodgers but looked far from who he was pre-surgery. He posted a 5.38 ERA in 16 appearances, but he did close out the 2024 World Series against the Yankees.
He spent the majority of 2025 with the Red Sox, posting a 7-7 record and 5.45 ERA before he wasdesignated for assignment.
The Phillies took a chance on Buehler late last season and he rewarded them with his best stretch of games since his early career years with the Dodgers. He went 3-0 in three appearances with a 0.66 ERA.
Unfortunately, injuries have gotten the best of Buehler over the last few years. He had Tommy John surgery in 2022 and missed all of 2023 as a result. He came back in 2024, but struggled to a 5.38 ERA in just 16 appearances. He did close out the World Series for the Dodgers that year against the Yankees and earned himself the one-year pact from Boston.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
