'Feels Weird': San Diego Padres Sign Former Dodgers 2X All-Star

He was a two-time All-Star and was the ace of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching staff for several years, but now he'll head to the rival San Diego Padres.

A lot has changed for Walker Buehler from those heady 2018 through 2021 days in LA. Since coming back in 2024 from his second Tommy John surgery, Buehler simply hasn't been the same pitcher. No longer an ace, he has to do whatever he can to remain in the big leagues. For 2026, it's a minor league deal with the Padres.

The Padres are signing Walker Buehler to a minor league deal, per @sdutKevinAcee pic.twitter.com/jILweqsvd7
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 17, 2026

“It feels a little weird,” Buehler said. “I’d imagine five years ago it might’ve felt a lot more weird. But this is a crazy game, and this is a great opportunity for me again to be a part of a really talented baseball club.”

He signed a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox in 2025, but struggled to the tune of a 5.45 ERA in 22 starts. He was released later in the season and claimed by the Phillies.

After Nick Pivetta, Michael King and Joe Musgrove (and the latter two coming off major injuries as well), Randy Vazquez occupies a spot, but the Padres rotation needs help from there, and depth.

With that, they went on a signing spree in recent days, adding Germán Márquez and Griffin Canning along with Buehler. They'll all compete with the likes of JP Sears, Matt Waldron, Triston McKenzie and Marco Gonzales, also added this offseason.