Walker Buehler, signed by the Boston Red Sox to lengthen their rotation and hopefully provide the big-game playoff heroics that marked his career, was released by the club Aug. 29 as they aim to rework their rotation down the stretch in the American League playoff chase.
Buehler, 31, was signed to a one-year, $21.05 million contract but never found his footing pitching for the Red Sox, failing to complete five innings in nine of his 22 starts and giving up four or more runs in eight of them. Boston recently demoted Buehler to the bullpen, where he made one appearance, and the club has ridden the dominant trio of Cy Young candidate Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito to the top of the AL wild card standings.
But with swingman Richard Fitts on the injured list and no off day relief until Sept. 4, the club opted to release Buehler now and promote their top pitching prospect, Payton Tolle, who makes his debut at Fenway Park against Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes. Tolle, 22, struck out 13 batters per nine innings over three minor league stops in this, his first professional season. He was picked in the second round of the 2024 draft.
Buehler won his second World Series title with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, starting and winning Game 3 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium and then coming back two nights later to earn the save in the clinching Game 5. He has a 0.47 ERA in four World Series games from 2018, 2020 and 2024.
Walker Buehler contract
Buehler’s contract signed with the Red Sox guaranteed him $21.05 million in 2025. That includes a $3 million buyout on the $25 million option for 2026.
Walker Buehler stats
Walker Buehler had a 5.45 ERA in 112.1 innings with the Red Sox, making 22 starts before being demoted to the bullpen. His 6.7 strikeouts per nine is the lowest mark of his career, entering the season at 9.5 in eight years with the Dodgers.