Walker Buehler's career has taken a dramatic turn since his championship-clinching moment with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The former ace, who recorded the final out of the 2024 World Series, is now fighting for his roster spot with the San Diego Padres after a tumultuous journey through three teams in two years.

Buehler's departure from LA was followed by a difficult 2025 season. He signed a one-year, $21 million deal with the Boston Red Sox but managed only 23 appearances with a 5.45 ERA before being released in August. A brief stint with the Philadelphia Phillies showed promise with a 0.66 ERA over three games, but it wasn't enough to secure a long-term role.

This spring, the pitching-needy Padres took a chance on the 31-year-old right-hander with a minor league deal. He earned a spot on the Opening Day roster, but his first two starts have been concerning. In just 6.2 innings pitched, Buehler has surrendered seven runs, eight hits, and five walks, putting his immediate future with the club in serious doubt.

This struggle marks a stark contrast to the pitcher who once finished third in Cy Young voting. Drafted 24th overall by the Dodgers in 2015, Buehler emerged as a frontline starter by 2018, posting a 2.62 ERA and striking out 151 batters. He earned All-Star selections in 2019 and 2021, a season where he also posted a career-high 7.1 bWAR.

His trajectory was interrupted by injury, causing him to miss the entire 2023 season. He returned in 2024 but was inconsistent, finishing with a 5.38 ERA before his storybook World Series finish. Now, with his performance wavering, the veteran finds himself at a critical crossroads. To extend his career, Buehler must rediscover the form that once made him one of baseball's most feared pitchers.