Former Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler has struggled since leaving LA, and hasn’t gotten any better with San Diego Padres.
Buehler, 31, left the Dodgers after their 2024 World Series championship, joining the Boston Red Sox ahead of the 2025 season. He pitched just 23 times with the Red Sox after signing a one-year, $21 million contract there, posting a 5.45 ERA during his time in Beantown.
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The Red Sox ultimately released him at the end of Aug. 2025, and he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.
His time with the Phillies was short, as he pitched just three times, and posted a 0.66 ERA.
After 2025, Buehler signed with the San Diego Padres—who desperately needed starting pitching—on a minor league deal, and managed to break camp out of spring training. Through his first two starts, though, they may be regretting their decision.
Buehler has thrown just 6.2 innings through two starts, allowing seven runs with eight hits and five walks.
Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Walker Buehler (10) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
When Did Walker Buehler Play with the Dodgers?
The Dodgers drafted Buehler in the first round of the 2015 MLB Amateur Draft with the 24th overall pick, and he made his MLB debut in 2017. He played just eight games that season, posting a 7.71 ERA during that time, but really broke out in 2018.
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He placed third in Cy Young voting that year, posting a 2.62 ERA through 137.1 innings pitched with 151 strikeouts. Buehler made the All-Star team in 2019, pitching 182.1 innings and striking out 215 batters through 30 starts.
He struck out 200 or more batters for a second time in 2021, when he also made the All-Star team and posted. career-high 7.1 bWAR.
The right-hander missed out on the 2023 season due to injury, and returned in 2024 for his final year with the Dodgers. He struggled, posting a 5.38 ERA that year, but recorded the final three outs of the World Series to secure a ring for the Dodgers.
Despite all he has done in his career, Buehler is now on the chopping block with an NL West rival, and will have to pick things up if he is to remain in MLB.
Do you think Walker Buehler can bounce back despite his rough start?