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Padres Notes: SD Signs Veteran Pitcher, Games 1 and 2 Starters Announced, Walker Buehler’s Role

Catch up on all the latest Padres news and notes.
Gabe Smallson|
Sep 26, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Walker Buehler (10) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
Sep 26, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Walker Buehler (10) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres signed a veteran pitcher to a minor league deal ahead of their National League Division Series matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 31-year-old last appeared on a major league mound in 2021 as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Speaking of the NLDS, the Padres will feature southpaw Robbie Ray on the mound for Game 1. The two-time Cy Young award winner spoke about what it means to him to be entrusted with the opportunity to kick off the next leg of their postseason run.

"Super thrilled for the opportunity and the trust that this team has put into me, that Craig has put into me," Ray said on Friday. "Obviously, a really good ballclub. I have to stick to my game plan and kind of be willing to adapt as well. I think especially with the hitters that they have, they're really good at putting the ball in play."

For Game 2, Michael King will get the nod. After a 3.21 ERA over the course of the regular season (and a 2.93 ERA since the All-Star break), his 2026 postseason debut included seven scoreless innings, just one hit (an infield single) and eight strikeouts to kick off the National League wild-card series.

Though many thought that right-hander Walker Buehler would be the man to start Game 1, especially with 18 postseason starts totaling a 3.07 ERA, manager Craig Stammen provided his reasoning as to why the 2024 World Series hero didn't get the opportunity to start either of the first two NLDS games.

"Walker will play a big role in this series at some point," Stammen said on Friday. "I don't know when that is. But he's got such a playoff pedigree that it will be hard for us to leave him out and not give him a chance to put his mark on the series."

Here’s all the latest Padres news and stories (click the headline for the full article):

Padres Sign Former Cardinals, Braves Pitcher Ahead of NLDS vs Brewers

Padres Announce Surprise Starting Pitcher for NLDS Game 1 vs Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers

Padres Manager Addresses Walker Buehler's Postseason Role After NLDS Game 1 Snub

Joe Musgrove Felt Like He Let Padres Down Amid Grueling 2-Year Rehab

Padres' AJ Preller Has Clear Message on Craig Stammen's Future With Organization

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Gabe Smallson
GABE SMALLSON

Gabe Smallson is a sportswriter based in Los Angeles with a focus in sports and entertainment content. Gabe has previously worked at Newsweek and Dodgers Nation. He graduated from San Francisco State University in 2020 and received his Masters of Science at the University of Southern California in 2025.

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