Walker Buehler Signs Minor League Deal with Padres

Walker Buehler, known for his pivotal moments in the World Series, is set to embark on a new chapter in his MLB journey. This time, he’ll face off against a former opponent as he joins the Padres on a minor league contract.

At 31, Buehler will be vying for a spot in the Padres’ starting rotation during the upcoming spring training, as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The competition for rotation spots includes several players: Triston McKenzie, Matt Waldron, Germain Marquez, JP Sears, and Marco Gonzalez, all of whom will be contending alongside Buehler.

This contract marks a return to the National League West for Buehler, who previously spent seven seasons with the Dodgers. He missed all of 2023 due to a second Tommy John surgery, but won World Series titles with the Dodgers in 2020 and 2024.

Unfortunately, Buehler’s journey post-surgery has been rocky. He couldn’t complete a season with the Red Sox in 2025, finding himself relegated to the bullpen before being released. He later signed a minor league contract with the Phillies ahead of the postseason.

During his stint with the Phillies, he made just one start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley and appeared in three games, starting two, posting a 4.94 ERA across both teams in 2025.

“Obviously it’s disappointing,” Buehler remarked after his bullpen demotion with the Red Sox. “It’s a situation I haven’t faced before, but I think both the organization and I see this as a necessary step for the group, giving me a chance to reset.”

At his peak, Buehler was a key player for the Dodgers, making three starts in 23 games and finishing among the top 10 in Cy Young Award voting on two occasions.

His strong performance in the 2024 World Series included five shutout innings in Game 3 against the Yankees, and he clinched the championship by recording the final outs in Game 5.

He also provided a solid start in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series against the Mets.