Walker Buehler Joins Padres in Stunning Comeback Bid
A former Dodgers ace is now fighting for a job in San Diego and that twist alone is turning heads across Major League Baseball.
Walker Buehler, once one of the most feared arms in the National League, has agreed to a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres. Yes, that Walker Buehler. The same pitcher who helped power the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series title and built a reputation as a big-game performer. Now at 31, he is no longer guaranteed a rotation spot. He is battling for one.
This is a remarkable turn in what was once a dominant career. Early on with the Dodgers, Buehler looked like a franchise cornerstone. He was an All-Star. He finished high in Cy Young voting. He delivered in October. But injuries changed everything. A second Tommy John surgery in 2022 sidelined him for an entire season and since returning, the results have not matched the reputation.
His velocity dipped. His command slipped. Strikeouts fell. Walks rose. After struggling in Los Angeles, he signed a one-year, big-money deal with the Boston Red Sox. That gamble did not pay off. He was released late in the season. A short stint with the Philadelphia Phillies showed flashes of control, but not dominance.
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Now he lands in San Diego, a team stacking up experienced arms in what looks like a wide-open competition for the back end of the rotation. The Padres already have established starters at the top. But the final spots are up for grabs. Buehler will compete with several veterans and non-roster invitees this spring. There are no guarantees here. And because of his service time, he holds opt-out opportunities if he does not make the roster.
So why does this matter?
Because if Buehler finds even a portion of his old form, the Padres could gain a postseason-tested arm for almost no financial risk. And if he does not, they can move on. For Buehler, this is about proving he still belongs. For San Diego, it is a calculated bet on upside.
And there is another layer. Buehler has historically dominated the Padres in his career. Now he is trying to help them win. Rivalries shift quickly in baseball, but this one feels especially dramatic.
Spring Training will reveal a lot. Is this the final chapter of a once-elite career, or the beginning of an unexpected comeback?
Stay with us for continuing coverage as this rotation battle unfolds and the Padres shape what could be one of the most intriguing pitching stories of the season.
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