Walker Buehler Signs Minor League Deal with Padres

Walker Buehler has made a notable shift, signing a minor league contract with the Padres, aiming for a spot on their opening day roster as a starting pitcher.

“It’s a really good opportunity to be a part of a talented ball club, and I’m looking forward to showing what I can do,” he mentioned on Tuesday morning while donning his uniform. “I’ve approached every spring with the same mindset: try to make the team and contribute as much as possible. As a starter, that’s my goal—find a place in the rotation.”

At 31, Buehler’s journey hasn’t been smooth. Once hailed as one of baseball’s elite pitchers, he celebrated a World Series victory with the Dodgers in 2020, earnt All-Star honors twice, and was a Cy Young Award contender multiple times. Yet, injuries have significantly affected his career trajectory.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2022, he missed the entirety of the following season. He returned in 2024, but his performance was lackluster—a 5.38 ERA over 16 games—despite achieving a shutout against the Yankees in the 2024 World Series.

His stint in 2025 with the Red Sox had a modest record of 7-7 and a 5.45 ERA before parting ways with the team.

Last season, the Phillies took a chance on him, and he delivered exceptional results, winning all three games he pitched while maintaining a 0.66 ERA—his best form in a while.

Buehler reflected, “I focused on my mechanics while I was in Philadelphia, working consistently and refining my skills. I feel like my pitching is getting close to where it was before 2022. My velocity and control have largely returned, and I had a successful second half of the last season compared to the first part.”

The offseason presented a fresh opportunity for Buehler to adjust his training regimen, and he feels that those changes have paid off. “I experienced some strain on my body, but I took a different approach this offseason to enhance my fitness,” he explained. “Of course, there’s still room to improve, especially with regards to speed and explosiveness.”

For the Padres, Buehler’s addition could address some concerns in their rotation as they gear up for spring training in Arizona. Their current lineup includes Nick Pivetta, who had a breakout year, Michael King, recently signed, and Joe Musgrove, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, depth beyond that is a question mark.

Randy Vazquez seems to have secured the No. 4 spot in the rotation, setting him up well for consistent playtime. Meanwhile, Yu Darvish, a key player for the Padres over the last several seasons, is out after elbow surgery last October, leaving options like Kyle Hart and JP Sears in play.

As Buehler steps into this new chapter, he acknowledges the unique position he’s in, contrasting with his past experiences. “It feels a little strange being on the other side of this,” he joked. “I suppose it would have been weirder a few years ago, but that’s baseball for you. I’m just thrilled to be part of another talented team.”