The San Diego Padres have reached an agreement with pitcher Walker Buehler on a minor league contract, as reported by Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Buehler will be vying for a spot in the team’s rotation during Spring Training, joining a group that the Padres have been actively enhancing. Over the weekend, the team secured major league deals with veterans Griffin Canning and Germán Márquez, signaling their intent to deepen the pitching roster.
As Spring Training approaches, Buehler finds himself with a non-roster invitation, indicating a more challenging path to a rotation slot compared to Canning and Márquez. Canning, a key player returning from an Achilles injury sustained in June, may start the season on the injured list but is expected to reclaim a rotation position once fit. The Padres have three assured spots in their opening day rotation filled by Nick Pivetta, Michael King, and Joe Musgrove. There’s also a strong indication that righty Randy Vásquez, who finished last season well, is in contention for the fourth spot. Buehler, along with Triston McKenzie and Marco Gonzales, will compete for potential spots as non-roster invitees.
Buehler, a two-time All-Star known for his impressive tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has faced difficulties since undergoing his second Tommy John surgery in 2022, which sidelined him for the entirety of the 2023 season. Although he managed a respectable performance during the postseason, he struggled significantly with the Red Sox in 2024, posting a troubling 5.45 ERA over 23 appearances before being released in August. His tenure with the Phillies was slightly better, as he recorded a 13 2/3 innings with only one earned run, although he had difficulties maximizing strikeouts.
Despite these setbacks, Buehler is only 31 years old and still possesses average velocity for the league. With no obligations regarding a guaranteed salary, the Padres can evaluate his performance without risk. If he does not earn a spot on the major league roster, Buehler has potential opt-out options in his contract, allowing him to explore other opportunities.
The upcoming Spring Training will be pivotal for Buehler as he seeks to reclaim his form and secure a place in the competitive landscape of the Padres’ pitching rotation. The Padres’ approach to building their pitching depth reflects a broader strategy to maintain a robust and flexible roster as they aim for success in the forthcoming season.