He used to overpower hitters at 97.
Now he’s fighting for 92.
But inside Padres camp, there’s a different feeling around Walker Buehler this spring — and it starts with the radar gun.
💥 BREAKING NEWS: Walker Buehler Encouraged by Early Velocity as Padres Take a Chance ⚡
When the San Diego Padres signed Walker Buehler in February, it wasn’t to headlines about an ace.
It was a calculated gamble.
A two-time All-Star.
A former postseason assassin.
A pitcher who once dominated October.
And a pitcher who hasn’t looked like that version in years.
Since undergoing his second Tommy John surgery in August 2022, Buehler has been searching for himself.
From 2017–2021 with the Dodgers:
- 40–13 record
- 2.90 ERA
- 632 strikeouts
- 573.1 innings
Since returning in 2024:
- 11–13 record
- 5.10 ERA
- 156 strikeouts
- 201.1 innings
The numbers tell a harsh story.
But Saturday hinted at something else.
A Subtle but Important Sign
Pitching three innings on the backfields against the NC Dinos of the KBO, Buehler wasn’t overpowering.
He touched 92 mph with his fastball.
On paper, that’s down from the 94 mph he averaged last year — and well below the upper-90s heat of his peak.
But context matters.
“I think pitching on the backfields is different,” Buehler said. “Adrenaline is not quite what it probably will be here in the next one. But for it to kind of casually be in there, I think is really nice and reassuring.”
Casually.
That’s the word Padres coaches noticed.
No max effort.
No visible strain.
No forced mechanics.
Just a pitcher working.
And perhaps, slowly rebuilding.
The Elbow Factor
For Buehler, health is everything.
“Every year my elbow seems to kind of start feeling a little bit better,” he said. “And this year is no different.”
He also emphasized something that could matter more than velocity:
He’s in better shape than in past offseasons.
After two major elbow surgeries, stamina and mechanical efficiency often determine survival more than raw speed.
Buehler may never again live at 97–99 mph.
But if he can live at 92–94 with command and sequencing?
He becomes viable.
Don’t Forget October 2024
While the regular-season numbers were uneven, Buehler reminded everyone of his ceiling last postseason.
He threw 13 consecutive scoreless innings.
He recorded the final three outs in Game 5 to close out the Yankees.
When the spotlight brightened, the competitor re-emerged.
That’s what San Diego is betting on.
Not dominance every fifth day.
But a veteran who understands pressure.
Where Does He Fit?
The Padres’ projected rotation currently includes:
1️⃣ Michael King
2️⃣ Joe Musgrove
3️⃣ Nick Pivetta
4️⃣ Randy Vásquez
That leaves one spot — possibly two if San Diego shifts to a six-man rotation.
Buehler is battling:
- Germán Márquez
- JP Sears
- Triston McKenzie
- Marco Gonzales
And reports suggest the Padres may still explore outside additions before Opening Day.
In other words:
Nothing is guaranteed.
What This Really Means
This isn’t about reclaiming ace status.
It’s about relevance.
If Buehler:
- Holds velocity in the low-to-mid 90s
- Mixes pitches effectively
- Limits hard contact
- Stays healthy
He becomes a stabilizing back-end option.
And if he flashes even a fraction of his former October edge?
San Diego’s gamble pays off.
Final Thought
Walker Buehler doesn’t need to be the 2019 version.
He just needs to be useful.
And in early March, usefulness — paired with a healthy elbow — feels like progress.
For a pitcher left without a team just weeks ago, that’s no small thing.
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