Buehler allowed seven runs on 11 hits and one walk while striking out three batters over 3.1 innings in a Cactus League start against Arizona on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Buehler had been pitching well this spring coming into Sunday, but he was roughed up badly by the Diamondbacks. Among the 11 hits the right-hander allowed, four left the park, marking the first long balls Buehler has given up this spring. Manager Craig Stammen said Saturday that Buehler will make the Padres' Opening Day roster, so despite the ugly outing one day later, the former Dodger is lined up to be part of the team's starting rotation. Buehler threw 79 pitches Sunday, so he appears ready to take on a near-full workload.

Padres manager Craig Stammen confirmed Saturday that Buehler will make the team's Opening Day roster, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

EDGE Analysis

This almost certainly means that Buehler will occupy a rotation spot at the outset of the campaign. The veteran right-hander earned the role with a strong spring, posing a 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB over 11.2 innings spanning three starts. Buehler joined the organization on a minor-league deal in mid-February, so he'll need to be added to the 40-man roster ahead of Opening Day.

Buehler is trending toward beginning the regular season as part of the Padres' starting rotation, Manny Randhawa of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Buehler signed with San Diego in February on a minor-league contract, so he'd need to be added to the 40-man roster in order to break camp with the club. That seems to be a probable scenario given the team's need to fill out the rotation, especially now that Joe Musgrove (elbow) has been deemed likely to begin the campaign on the IL. Buehler has been one of several hurlers competing for a rotation spot, and he may have clinched the role with a superb Cactus League start against San Francisco on Monday, as he tossed five scoreless frames with seven strikeouts. The right-hander was a valuable fantasy asset in his prime, but it remains to be seen how close he can get to his peak form given that he's lost several miles per hour off his fastball hasn't posted an ERA below 4.00 since 2021.

Buehler said Thursday that his right elbow stopped hurting about a month ago after trying various treatments, vitamins and supplements, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Buehler has had two Tommy John surgeries with the second coming in August of 2022. The right-hander's claim of being pain free comes as new teammate Joe Musgrove is returning from Tommy John surgery and is sharing some of the experiences Buehler had in the past. The 31-year-old Buehler had a 2.90 ERA across his first five seasons in MLB but has a 4.83 ERA across the past three years, and he's especially struggled the last two seasons since the surgery.

Buehler signed a minor-league contract with San Diego on Monday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Buehler is expected to join the competition in camp for San Diego's final rotation spot, per Acee. He'll be up against the likes of Matt Waldron, Triston McKenzie, German Marquez, JP Sears and Marco Gonzales. Buehler bounced between the Red Sox and Phillies a season ago, posting a 4.93 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with a 92:61 K:BB across 126.0 innings.

Buehler (9-7) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out three over 3.2 scoreless innings to earn the win Friday versus the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Buehler has won his first two outings with the Phillies, allowing one run over 8.2 innings with a 6:3 K:BB in that span. He worked in a piggyback start with Taijuan Walker, who allowed two runs over four innings to start the game. Buehler has a 5.13 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 90:58 K:BB across 121 innings through 25 appearances (23 starts) between the Phillies and the Red Sox this year. It's expected Buehler will start his last regular-season appearance before likely joining the bullpen for the playoffs. His outing next week has yet to be penciled in, but it will be at home against either the Marlins or the Twins depending on how the Phillies opt to order Buehler and Walker after this tandem outing.

Buehler will follow Taijuan Walker in a tandem start Friday in Arizona, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Aaron Nola will take the ball Saturday and Ranger Suarez will go Sunday for the Phillies. The rotation realignment not only sets up Cristopher Sanchez for the first game of the postseason, it also allows the club to get a look at Buehler in a different role, with the idea that he might be used in long relief in the playoffs. Buehler was solid in his Phillies debut last week against the Royals, striking out three over five innings of one-run ball. He'll have a better chance of picking up a win Friday as the second leg of a piggyback start.

Buehler (8-7) earned the win Friday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over five innings against Kansas City. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander was assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after signing with the Phillies in late August, and he delivered one of his better starts of the season in his team debut after a tumultuous run in Boston. Buehler will be part of the Phillies' six-man rotation for the final weeks of the regular season, and Friday's showing was a good step toward potentially earning a spot on the playoff roster. His 5.29 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 117.1 innings between Boston and Philadelphia remain unsightly, however.

The Phillies selected Buehler's contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Buehler will start Friday's game against the Royals as the Phillies shift to a six-man rotation. The right-hander made one start at Lehigh Valley after being signed to a minor-league contract Aug. 31, allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out five over three innings. He was released by the Red Sox last month after posting a 5.45 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 84:55 K:BB in 112.1 innings. The Phillies will take a look at the 31-year-old down the stretch to evaluate his capacity to help out their pitching staff in the playoffs.

The Phillies will call up Buehler from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start Friday's game against the Royals in Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

Just as Matt Gelb of The Athletic had reported Aug. 31 when the Phillies signed Buehler to a minor-league deal, the right-hander will end up joining the big club for the final 15 games of the regular season as the team expands its rotation to six men. Before he was cut loose by Boston, Buehler had submitted a 5.45 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 84:55 K:BB in 112.1 innings on the season, but the Phillies are hoping that the change of scenery can help the two-time All-Star rediscover his prior form. After being assigned to the minors following his signing, Buehler made one start for Lehigh Valley this past Saturday, striking out five over three innings while allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks.