Walker Buehler Aims to Regain Top Performance as He Joins Padres’ Starting Rotation This Season
PEORIA, Ariz. — Walker Buehler has embarked on a new chapter in his baseball career, joining the San Diego Padres after a memorable tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he clinched two World Series titles. Buehler’s transition to the Padres has raised questions about competing in the same division as his former team, with whom he celebrated victory in the 2024 World Series.
“We’ll see,” Buehler remarked this month during the Padres’ spring training. “Once we get into the season, we’ll know more. A lot of the guys I came up with aren’t there anymore, but I had a lot of fun in ’24 with many of them, so I’ll always be happy to see them succeed. It is a different situation now.”
Buehler, 31, faced challenges last season, posting a 4.93 ERA during a tumultuous period with the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies. However, he has shown resilience, earning a spot in the Padres’ rotation, which is currently riddled with uncertainties.
The Padres are optimistic that Buehler can regain his form, having achieved a 3.09 ERA in his first three Cactus League outings. Despite a disappointing final spring training start, where he surrendered seven runs against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Buehler remains focused on his progress. “Not my best,” he acknowledged. “But at the end of the day, we’re trying to get out of here healthy and feeling good. I feel like I’m in a better spot than I have been in a long time and have a lot of trust in the process.”
Buehler is slated to pitch against the San Francisco Giants on Monday at Petco Park. Padres manager Craig Stammen expressed hope for Buehler’s success this season. “Our hope is that he returns to who he’s been in the past,” he stated, highlighting Buehler’s experience as a former All-Star.
Despite other options, including a potential return to Philadelphia, Buehler chose the Padres, citing a better fit for his goals. “We felt an opportunity to come in and pitch well, and I feel like I’ve done that for the most part,” he explained. “With the talent we have and playoff expectations, this seemed like a good fit.”
Collaborating closely with Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla, Buehler has remained open to new strategies. Stammen noted the positive changes Buehler has embraced, fueling optimism about his upcoming season.
As Buehler gears up for the challenges ahead, his primary goal remains clear: “Try and be healthy, make as many starts as they need me to, and just improve and kind of get back closer to what I used to be.”
