After securing the final out of the 2024 World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Walker Buehler is set to suit up for the San Diego Padres as the division rival deals with injuries in the starting rotation.
Padres manager Craig Stammen told reporters, including Manny Randhawa of MLB.com, that Joe Musgrove is likely to begin the year on the injured list. The right-hander was set to serve as the No. 3 starter for San Diego. With Musgrove down, Randhawa noted Buehler is trending toward being a member of the Opening Day rotation.
Buehler delivered five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts in a spring outing on Monday, March 16. He’s competing for a job with fellow veterans German Marquez, Marco Gonzales, and JP Sears. Matt Waldron is dealing with an injury. Free agent addition Griffin Canning is still working his way back from an Achilles tear. Triston McKenzie and Logan Gillaspie are in Padres camp as non-roster invitees.
Former Dodgers All-Star Walker Buehler Heading Toward Rotation Spot With San Diego Padres
Buehler has a pair of World Series rings with the Dodgers. He was part of the club that secured the 2020 title in the shortened season. The righty tossed a clean 9th inning in Game 5 against the New York Yankees to clinch the 2024 championship. Buehler made the All-Star team in 2019 and 2021 while in Los Angeles. He also finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2018.
The Dodgers selected Buehler with the 24th overall pick in the 2015 draft. After starring at Vanderbilt, the right-hander delivered a 3.35 ERA across 28 games in his first full professional season. Buehler entered 2018 as one of the top prospects in the organization. He made a handful of appearances in the minors in 2018, but was soon promoted to the big-league club. Buehler cruised to a 2.62 ERA over his first 137.1 innings with the Dodgers. He notched a 27.9% strikeout rate with a 6.8% walk rate.
Buehler was a quality member of the Dodgers’ rotation over the next few seasons. He made 30+ starts in 2019 and 2021. The injury bug would bite him beginning in 2022. Buehler went down with a forearm strain in June of that season. He ultimately required UCL reconstruction surgery and missed the entire 2023 campaign. Buehler was expected to return to begin the 2024 season, but required a second elbow surgery. He made just 16 appearances that year.
What Happened to Walker Buehler After Leaving the Dodgers?
Buehler has struggled to find a consistent home since leaving Los Angeles in free agency. He landed with the Boston Red Sox on a one-year deal last offseason. Buehler scuffled to a 5.45 ERA in 23 games with the team. The Red Sox cut him loose in August. The Philadelphia Phillies, in desperate need of healthy arms, scooped up Buehler on a minor league deal. He pitched well from a run prevention perspective in a short stint with the team, but his velocity was down, and his strikeout numbers lagged.
The Padres added Buehler on a minor league deal this offseason. It will pay him $1.5 million if he makes the roster. Buehler can also make an additional $2.5 million in incentives. Considering the injuries in the San Diego rotation, it seems likely that Buehler will be in a Padres’ uniform on Opening Day.
Ex-Dodger, Two-Time Champ Set to Make Division Rival’s Rotation