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?
9 Responses
Happy that he is pitching but sad that he had to resort to signing with the Madres. But as the saying goes, “any port in a storm…
I’m thinking this is the best he could have done. The Pods is a successful franchise in the best division in MLB, and if he can prove himself there, his career is back on track. It could have been much worser if he’d ended up in someplace like Pittsburgh, where he’d not be challenged or motivated and might just conk out and disappear. I hope he does good and we see him pitch again at Dodger Stadium.
Hey I loved that dude. He fit with Dodgers and seemed to be an all
around guy in the locker room.
So wish him well. His got bills to pay too. But were going to beat them in the playoffs anyway. Sorry little bro.
wishing him well…..sort of.
Wow, I didn’t know her turned Dodgers down at 20 mil….I thought we had not offered him a contract…..so on one hand “Heck with you” and on the other still wanted him back….
Not sure the Dodgers offered him anything either.
Now that I know you play the moderation game there’ll be no more.
I always liked Walker. It always seemed to me that his attitude and temper got in the way of his success. I don’t think he was good for the clubhouse or front office. Dodgers invested a lot in him. Not sure he really appreciated the investment like he could of. Hopefully he has had a big slice of humble pie. I have a lot of signed merch of his, so I hope he does well!
After Dodgers helped him rehab and then offed him 22 mil. What can you say, had high hopes for him