The Padres add Walker Buehler to a minor league contract, reports Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. An Excel Sports Management client will aim to win a rotation job during Spring Training.
San Diego continues to stockpile potential starters at running back. The Padres have agreed to major league deals Griffin Canning again German Marquez at the weekend. Buehler is receiving a non-roster invitation, which appears to put him behind the other two veterans as camp progresses. Canning is coming back from a June Achilles injury. He may start the season on the injured list but should be in the rotation once he’s healthy.
The Friars have three keys to the Opening Day rotation: Nick Pivetta, Michael King again Joe Musgrove. First-year captain Craig Stammen said last week that it was OK Randy Vásquez he has a leg up in the top four after a strong finish last year. Márquez, Canning (if healthy) and JP Sears they are the top picks on the 40-man roster for the first five jobs. Matt Waldron and remains on the 40-man but has run out of options and is coming off a rough season in Triple-A. Buehler joins Triston McKenzie again Marco Gonzales among unregistered invitees.
A two-time All-Star, Buehler was an ace on the field for most of his time with the Dodgers. He hasn’t been the same since his second Tommy John surgery in 2022. Surgery sidelined him for the entire ’23 season, and he returned with a 5.38 ERA over 16 regular season starts the following year. Buehler played well in the postseason and ended up closing out the 2024 World Series. The Red Sox bet that was the beginning of a return to form, but his $21.05MM free agent deal with Boston was a disappointment.
Buehler rocked to a 5.45 ERA in 23 appearances with the Red Sox. They flirted their way to the barn before pulling the plug entirely, releasing him at the end of August. Buehler connected with the Phillies and made three appearances to close out the regular season. While throwing 13 2/3 innings of one-run ball in Philadelphia, he struck out eight of the 57 batters he faced (14%).
Opponents have destroyed his four-seam fastball, hitting .277 with a .553 slugging percentage against the pitch. Buehler’s average velocity of 94 mph was down from last season and nearly three miles per hour below where it was during 2019-20. Spin rates on his four-edge fastball and knuckle-curve are down significantly from the top. He had a very difficult time missing bats, both in and out of the strike zone. Hitters did a better job of striking things out of the zone, which resulted in a career-high 10.8% last season.
While the trend lines aren’t encouraging, Buehler is only 31 years old and still has league average speed. The Padres aren’t committed to a roster spot or guaranteed salary, so there’s no harm in gauging his form during Spring Training. It should be open competition for at least one exchange location.
Buehler may not start the season in Triple-A if he doesn’t win the assignment. He was an Article XX(b) free agent – a six-year-old player who finished last season on the MLB roster. Those players who sign minor league deals at least 10 days before Opening Day have three opt-out days under the collective bargaining agreement: five days before Opening Day, May 1, and June 1. Buehler can activate the opt-out clause and explore other opportunities during the final week of Spring Training if the Padres do not commit to carrying him on the active roster.
