Walker Buehler Unsure How Dodgers Fans Feel About Him After Joining Padres

Before San Diego Padres star Walker Buehler began his journey with the team, he spent the first seven seasons of his career with another National League West ball club.

For several years, Buehler was one of the few and proud homegrown players on the Los Angeles Dodgers roster. The right-hander was drafted by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft.

He underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after signing with LA and required the procedure again in 2022. After missing the entire 2023 season as he recovered from Tommy John, the Dodgers fan favorite returned to the rotation.

Buehler earned two All-Star selections with the Dodgers — in the 2019 season where he sported a 3.26 ERA and in 2021 where he posted a 2.47 mark. Since returning from his second Tommy John, Buehler has been a shell of his former self.

In 2024, Buehler struggled mightily on the mound as he finished the regular season with a 5.38 ERA. The Dodgers wouldn't have kept him in the postseason rotation if it wasn't for their depleted starting pitching staff.

And thus, Buehler was one of three starting pitchers to feature in the Dodgers rotation throughout the playoffs in 2024. As irony would have it, the right-hander faced the Friars in the NL Division Series.

The NLDS between the Padres and Dodgers was arguably the most entertaining playoff series that October and it's where the now back-to-back champions were pushed to the brink of elimination.

Buehler recently spoke about the perception of the Padres in the Dodgers clubhouse when he was still in LA.

“I remember being on the other side of it and how big of a threat San Diego has been,” Buehlersaid to the San Diego Union-Tribune. “Being in this uniform, (I’m) hoping to kind of add to that. (The Dodgers have) had a ton of success and have done a lot of things really well, but I’m excited about what we have here as well. Looking forward to a good year.”

This winter, Buehler signed a minor league deal with the Padres as he looked to join a contender after a rough 2025 campaign. The right-hander signed a one-year, $21.05 million deal with the Boston Red Sox after pitching lights out in the NLCS and World Series.

Buehler's move to the east coast didn't go as planned after he earned an ERA above 5.00 and was released by the team in August. Flash forward to 2026, he is looking to regain his All-Star form with the Padres.

How will Dodgers fans welcome him when he returns to Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium?

“I guess we’ll have to see,” Buehler said. “Hopefully all in all it’s neutral.”

How Did Walker Buehler Perform in His First Padres Start?

Monday marked Buehler's inaugural start as a member of the Friars.

The right-hander's first start as a Padre lasted four innings. Buehler allowed three runs on five hits and a pair of walks. He suffered the loss, the Padres' third of the season through four games.