“I’ve tried every treatment, supplement, and vitamin you can… something got rid of it and it hasn’t come back… I don’t know exactly what did it that fixed it. I hope if it hurts again, we get lucky again,” Buehler told reporters in a video shared by Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan SD.

Last season, Buehler finished the year with a 4.93 ERA, which was quite disappointing across 26 games for him. Most of those appearances came with the Red Sox before he moved to Philadelphia, where he pitched in just three games and posted a 3–0 record with a 0.66 ERA.

Buehler looks solid so far

In his spring training debut with the Padres, Buehler threw three innings, allowing two hits and two runs while striking out four. Those are solid numbers that could raise hope among San Diego fans heading into the 2026 season, as they hope the team can return to the postseason and make a deeper run.

Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla recently spoke candidly about Buehler: “He’s been good. He’s been throwing the ball well, just tweaking a few of his movements… right now he’s engaged in a movement we’re trying to acquire. I’m expecting him to get it done.”

Regarding his arrival with the Padres, Buehler said in mid-February: “It’s nice to finally be on a team that tries to win by playing hard / working together. Not just overpaying everyone because our ownership group is an investment firm managing $350 billion in assets.”

But Buehler’s competitive edge showed when he added, “Next time we celebrate, I wanna feel like I was a part of it.” His words left little doubt that he’s eager to contribute in October, regardless of how the Phillies decide to use him.

He has also hinted at unfinished business, telling Doug McKain just days ago, “You guys know I like pitching in October, so we’ll see what happens.” After his most recent start against Miami, where Matt Gelb noted he tossed five scoreless on 74 pitches before heading back to the bullpen, Buehler looked like a pitcher already preparing for the postseason stage.

Buehler gave his thoughts on what it would mean for him to pitch for the Phillies in October, explaining the difference in intensity and workload: “I think every pitch in the playoffs is a little bit more. I think if you throw 100 [pitches] during the regular season, you’re ready to throw 75 or 80 in the playoffs.”

Good Recent Outing for Buehler

The game against the Marlins was a big one for Walker Buehler: not only did the Phillies win 1-0 and eliminate their rivals from the playoff race, but it was an important outing for him personally. He allowed only 3 hits with two strikeouts in five solid innings of work.

“A night like tonight, for me, is a huge step forward and something that I can build off of,” Buehler said. “It’s a work day. I think any major league team can get the best of you and take you out of the game, but to be able to make some pitches in big spots, I think was huge for me, especially with the changeup.”

As the postseason approaches, Buehler is focused on making a significant impact with the Phillies. He recently shared his thoughts on a potential postseason showdown between his current team and his former organization, keen on capturing the championship by the end of October.

“I don’t want to get too into it, but you guys know I love pitching in October, so we’ll see what happens,” Buehler told Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain during a Phillies practice session. The team is strategically preparing for the challenges ahead as they aim to solidify their postseason roster.

With Buehler in their rotation, the Phillies are poised to be formidable contenders in the playoffs. Other teams will need to elevate their game if they wish to secure a spot in the World Series, as facing a well-prepared Buehler will surely present a significant challenge.

Buehler’s sole game against the Dodgers

In his first encounter with the Dodgers since leaving the team in 2024, Walker Buehler, now pitching for the Boston Red Sox, faced a challenging night at Fenway Park against his former squad.

During the mid-season matchup this past July, Buehler allowed 4 hits, 3 runs, and 1 home run while issuing 5 walks and striking out 4 batters. As October approaches and the postseason looms, Buehler has an opportunity to redeem himself and potentially face the Dodgers once more in a high-stakes series.

Anticipation is building for the battles ahead, as the Dodgers aim to defend their championship title. Meanwhile, the Phillies, bolstered by strong regular-season performances, remain among the favorites. With a player of Buehler’s caliber, these encounters could be decisive in the postseason narrative.

Buehler threw only three innings in his Triple-A Lehigh Valley debut, but it was enough to show he’s in solid form. On 78 pitches, he finished with this line: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 47 strikes. That kind of efficiency should be encouraging for Phillies fans.

Not everything went smoothly, though. One of the first things fans learned was that Buehler surrendered a home run to the very first batter he faced — Hao-Yu Lee, a former Phillies prospect. Social media was quick to point that out with criticism.

When could Buehler return to the majors?

Buehler is expected to make his Phillies debut on September 12 against the Kansas City Royals. That gives him plenty of time to prepare and potentially open that home series with his arm ready to stabilize the rotation. Depending on how he performs, he could get another opportunity later in the month.

The veteran right-hander brings valuable experience, and despite a rough year with the Red Sox, he’s capable of giving Philadelphia more than many might expect. With the Phillies in need of rotation help, his arrival could come at just the right moment.

“Philadelphia has a loaded rotation even without ace Zack Wheeler, which might put Buehler at long odds to crack the postseason rotation. But he proved last October that when the chips are on the table, he can come out of the bullpen and get the biggest outs imaginable,” Jackson Roberts wrote for Bleacher Report.

Buehler isn’t the only arm being added to Philadelphia’s “aggressive” September and postseason plan. The Phillies also brought in left-hander Tim Mayza, a veteran pitcher with proven experience.

The decision to sign two arms with playoff backgrounds stemmed from the Phillies’ need for veteran presence. Dombrowski confirmed as much, saying, “It helps because we were looking for experience.” With José Alvarado unavailable for the postseason, he explained that adding a healthy Mayza could give the Phillies three left-handed options out of the bullpen.

“I know in the past we had talked about potentially moving one of our starters — and we could still do that — but the other thing is, without having Wheeler, I’m not sure how that’s going to mesh… I don’t know what’s going to happen in that regard,” Dombrowski admitted.

When could Buehler pitch in the majors again?

According to Dombrowski, the plan is to send Buehler to Triple-A since he hasn’t pitched in some time, but he could be back in the majors as soon as September 12, when the Phillies host the Royals.

“The Phillies will go to a six-man rotation on September 12, after the Mets series, barring any rainouts,” reported Luke Arcaini on X. “That’ll be Walker Buehler’s first start for the Phillies. Garrett Stubbs and Tim Mayza will be the two call-ups for roster expansions tomorrow.”

Why the Phillies signed Buehler over a prospect

Dombrowski offered a candid explanation about adding a veteran like Buehler, saying his presence could make the Phillies a tougher opponent down the stretch. He admitted that if Buehler were to suffer another injury, things could quickly get complicated for the team.

“We could have used somebody internal, but we just think this makes us better,” Dombrowski told Anthony SanFilippo of On Pattison. “We think he’s a better alternative for us than what’s there. Of course, with Wheeler getting hurt, that contributes to a little lack of depth. We traded (Mick) Abel, so that changes things. Painter’s been fine, but he’s still working on his command, so we’re not ready to make that type of commitment.”

The Red Sox rotation without Buehler now looks like this: Crochet, Brayan Bello, Giolito, and May, with the likely addition of Payton Tolle for other games. In any case, the team has options in case they need to pull someone from the bullpen.

Things simply weren’t working for Buehler. His 5.45 ERA in 23 games was becoming a serious problem for the team, which had to make the decision to cut him before September.

Will Crochet Be Affected Without Buehler?

Not really, but people will expect much more from him now that there isn’t another arm like Buehler’s available for the Red Sox mound. Despite his struggles this season, the former Dodger is an 8-year veteran in MLB.

Tolle had a solid professional debut, allowing only two runs in 5.1 innings. This means the rotation could benefit significantly if he manages to earn a consistent spot. His debut was not against the strongest team of the season, but he showed a lot of maturity.

Buehler will likely find another team for the playoffs. He still has enough time to find one, and he is a relatively cheap pitcher for the experience he has, as his contract with the Red Sox was for $21 million for a single season.

The Red Sox, holding an even 26-26 record and battling the elements in the second game of the series against the Orioles, watched as Duran’s first-inning solo shot put them on the board. The early lead immediately put pressure on Baltimore and energized the home crowd.

MLB fans have witnessed countless unique celebrations, but this particular moment quickly entered the debate for one of the league’s most audacious. A fan, seemingly undeterred by the inclement weather, spontaneously doused himself with an entire bottle of milk. The audacious act was immediately captured by stadium cameras, ensuring it went viral.

Onlookers in the stands reacted with a mix of shock and delight, celebrating alongside the fan as the ballpark pulsed with excitement from the game’s opening long ball.

Red Sox grapple with inconsistent season

Despite a .500 record, the Red Sox fan base yearns for more from their roster. A recent walk-off home run by Jarren Duran offered a fleeting moment of optimism, suggesting the team could climb the standings and potentially overtake division rivals like the Toronto Blue Jays, who hold a 25-25 record.

On the pitching mound, Walker Buehler has been a stabilizing force for the Red Sox in the early regular season. His impressive stats, a 4.00 ERA, 33 strikeouts, and a 3.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio through seven starts, have instilled confidence in the team’s rotation. However, the offensive production from some key teammates has been notably absent throughout the season.

Crochet shines in promising Red Sox debut

A bright spot for the Red Sox has been the great performance of newcomer Garrett Crochet. In his inaugural season with the team, Crochet has quickly emerged as a pitching leader, topping the league with 11 starts and 68.1 innings pitched. He has also racked up an impressive 78 strikeouts this season.

Meanwhile, Alex Bregman has been a cornerstone of the Red Sox’ offense. His contributions include 11 home runs, 32 runs scored, 59 hits, and 22 walks this year, solidifying his role as one of the team’s most important players.

After disputing what he believed was a clear strike, Buehler walked off the mound and approached Estabrook, resulting in an immediate ejection. Moments later, Red Sox manager Alex Cora was also tossed from the game while defending his starter. Up to that point, Buehler had not allowed a hit, struck out four batters, and issued two walks.

Buehler addressed the media postgame and didn’t shy away from acknowledging his error in judgment. “I’ve been in this league too long for that to happen,” the right-hander admitted, according to masslive.com. “You feel very convicted in what you saw, but this is a team game, and I let it get out of hand. That’s the disappointing part.”

He continued with further reflection on how the situation unfolded. “I’m not gonna talk about what he did or didn’t do. I don’t think it’s my place… It spiraled a little bit. He said some things he thought I shouldn’t have said. At the end of the day, putting our team in that position is the only thing I really regret.”

Although Buehler’s night ended earlier than expected, his return still gave the Red Sox a brief glimpse of his potential moving forward. Boston will be hoping that this brief outing serves as a stepping stone in his path back to being a reliable piece of their rotation.

Red Sox bullpen delivers again, powered by Devers and Narvaez

With Buehler out of the game, the Red Sox bullpen was once again called upon to carry a heavy load—and they delivered. Despite having thrown extensively in Monday’s 3-1 win, six relievers combined to silence the Mets’ offense, allowing only four hits while striking out eight.

On offense, Boston made the most of a few timely swings. In the fifth inning, Carlos Narvaez and Rafael Devers each went deep with solo home runs that accounted for all of the scoring in the game. It was enough to preserve the shutout and hand the Red Sox another key win at home.