Phillies Sign Walker Buehler for Postseason Championship Push

The Philadelphia Phillies signed two-time All-Star and World Series champion pitcher Walker Buehler just before the postseason eligibility deadline, providing a crucial boost to their rotation after ace Zack Wheeler was sidelined for the season. Despite a difficult 2025 season with the Boston Red Sox marked by a 5.45 ERA and a career-low strikeout rate, Buehler's proven postseason success, including a dominant 0.47 ERA in World Series appearances, made him an attractive acquisition for the Phillies. Buehler will begin with a tune-up start at Triple-A Lehigh Valley before joining the major league roster in mid-September, slotting into a six-man rotation aimed at managing workloads for the playoffs. The Phillies are taking a low-risk gamble since Boston covers most of Buehler’s $21.05 million salary, paying only the prorated league minimum, while hoping his championship experience can help them contend for the World Series. The move reflects Philadelphia’s urgency to bolster pitching depth after Wheeler’s season-ending thoracic outlet syndrome diagnosis, and their belief that Buehler can rediscover his form in a new environment. Phillies president Dave Dombrowski expressed confidence in the plan and excitement about Buehler’s potential impact on their postseason hopes.