Padres Reinstate Walker Buehler as Rotation Struggles in NLDS
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San Diego brings back the veteran right-hander from the paternity list as they face elimination against Milwaukee.
The San Diego Padres are reinstating right-hander Walker Buehler from the paternity list, according to MLB.com. To make room for the 32-year-old on the National League Division Series 26-man active roster, the club will remove right-hander Randy Vásquez.
San Diego enters a critical juncture in the series after suffering a 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, leaving them trailing two games to none. MLB.com reports that the Padres will start right-hander Nick Pivetta in the must-win Game 3 on Tuesday. If the team avoids elimination, Buehler may be tapped to start Game 4 on Wednesday.
Buehler was previously a candidate to start Game 1 before his paternity list stint. He signed a Minor League contract in February and finished the regular season with a 4.63 ERA over 32 starts, though he improved to a 3.62 ERA across 13 starts following the All-Star break. MLB.com notes that the Padres' rotation struggled with durability for much of the year.
Buehler brings significant postseason experience to the roster, having posted a 3.04 ERA over 19 appearances. He is most notably recognized for closing out Game 5 of the 2024 World Series with a 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure a championship for the Los Angeles Dodgers.