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Walker Buehler will take the mound at Dodger Stadium for the first time in two seasons on Friday. However, he won't pitch the very first inning of the game; Roki Sasaki will. Yes, you heard it correctly. It's not that Buehler will come off the bench; he will be pitching for the Dodgers' biggest rivals, the San Diego Padres.
That's just how dynamics have changed for the right-hander in two years. For the first time after leaving the Dodgers at the end of the 2024 season, Buehler is back in Chavez Ravine in the most unlikely fashion.
His journey since leaving the Dodgers has been a roller-coaster. He joined the Boston Red Sox on a one-year deal, but his pitching was nowhere near what he used to provide for the Dodgers. By August, he was released after he posted a 7-7 record with a 5.45 ERA in 22 starts.
He then joined the Philadelphia Phillies in August and pitched well, posting a 3-0 record and 0.66 ERA with eight strikeouts across 13.2 innings pitched in three appearances, including two starts. He was in the 2025 NLDS roster against the Dodgers but was never used.
Earlier this year, the Padres signed him to a minor league deal and he made the Opening Day roster.
MORE: Walker Buehler reflects on time with Dodgers after signing with Padres
Walker Buehler holds no ill will against Dodgers
Buehler became a free agent at the end of the 2024 season. In his interview with San Diego reporter Annie Heilbrunn, he admitted that the Dodgers made him a competitive offer. However, things didn't align between both parties.
"Their offer included a physical that they wanted to look at my hip, and I just kind of thought we were at a point where we would have conversations on the phone and not through agents if that was the thing," Buehler said.
"And, you know, I hold no ill will about it. I got to go and experience a lot last year, played for two great organizations, and now I end up here."
Buehler also acknowledged that, given how the Dodgers were spending aggressively, he was not sure if he would be guaranteed a rotation spot.
"And, you know, I think at the end of the day, it was just kind of time for me to move on," Buehler said.
The right-hander, who won two World Series with the Dodgers, found it difficult to see the Dodgers successfully defend their championship in 2025. But, as he said, it was time to move on.
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