Padres Sign Former Dodgers Ace Walker Buehler to Minor League Deal in Rotation Shake-Up
Just when you think A.J. Preller might finally take his foot off the gas, he finds another gear.
The Padres’ president of baseball operations has once again added to a rotation competition that’s already brimming with intrigue, this time bringing in a familiar face from across the NL West divide: Walker Buehler. The former Dodgers and Red Sox right-hander has reportedly signed a minor league deal with San Diego, adding yet another layer to what’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive spring training rotation battles in baseball.
Padres fans know Buehler all too well. During his dominant run with the Dodgers, he carved up San Diego lineups to the tune of a 7-1 record and a 1.67 ERA in 13 starts. From 2017 through 2022, Buehler was one of the most effective starters in the National League, posting a 3.02 ERA over six seasons and establishing himself as a top-of-the-rotation force.
But the trajectory changed after Tommy John surgery in 2023. Buehler struggled to regain his form, landing with the Red Sox last season before being released in August following a tough stretch that saw his ERA balloon to 5.45.
Still, there were signs of life late in the year with the Phillies, where he allowed just one run over 13 2/3 innings split between two starts and a relief outing. That late-season flash was enough to catch the Padres’ attention-and in true Preller fashion, they’re betting on upside.
Now, Buehler enters a crowded-and highly competitive-group vying for the final spot in the Padres’ starting rotation. With Michael King, Joe Musgrove, and Nick Pivetta already penciled in, and Randy Vasquez looking like a strong candidate for the fourth slot, that fifth spot is wide open.
And the list of contenders is long.
Germán Márquez, who spent years frustrating the Padres as a member of the Rockies, is in the mix. So are Triston McKenzie and Griffin Canning, both of whom come with their own blend of big-league experience and upside. Add in JP Sears and Matt Waldron, and you’ve got a legitimate battle brewing.
For Buehler, this is about more than just a roster spot-it’s about reigniting a career that once had Cy Young potential. The Padres, under pitching coach Ruben Niebla and a staff known for maximizing arm talent, have earned a reputation for breathing new life into pitchers. If there’s a place for a bounce-back, San Diego might just be it.
It’s a low-risk, high-reward move for the Padres, and another example of Preller’s relentless pursuit of depth and talent. The rotation isn’t just being built-it’s being fortified with experienced arms, internal competition, and a clear belief that someone will rise to the occasion.
Walker Buehler might have once been a thorn in San Diego’s side. Now, he’s wearing brown and gold, trying to prove he’s still got something left in the tank.
And if he does? The rest of the NL West might want to take notice.