San Diego Padres pitcher Walker Buehler is scheduled to start Friday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park, marking his first outing against the team where he spent the first seven seasons of his career. Buehler signed with the Padres in the offseason after parting ways with the Dodgers in free agency.
Buehler began the season with the Padres on a minor league deal following a difficult period after his second Tommy John surgery. He has since established himself in the Padres' rotation, posting a 3.96 ERA over his last 15 starts.
After his departure from the Dodgers, Buehler signed a $21.05 million deal with the Boston Red Sox for the 2025 campaign. His tenure in Boston was challenging, as he recorded a 5.45 ERA across 112.1 innings. He was subsequently released by the Red Sox and picked up by the Philadelphia Phillies, where he pitched 13.2 innings with a 0.66 ERA before signing with San Diego.
The right-hander's performance in previous postseasons, including his role in the Dodgers' 2024 World Series victory, demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure. If the Padres make further acquisitions at the trade deadline, Buehler could be a key component in their rotation for a potential playoff run.