Aug 8, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Walker Buehler (0) delivers during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Buehler? ... Buehler? ... Buehler?...
Present.
Dave Dombrowski waited until the last possible minute to add even more possibilities for the Phillies postseason roster, but took a flier on a couple of arms to bolster the depth of both the rotation and the bullpen.
The Phillies signed RHP Walker Buehler, who went unclaimed on the waiver wire after the Boston Red Sox released him on Friday. The signing was pending a physical.
They also added LHP Tim Mayza, claiming him on waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates to add depth from the left side, which is lacking organizationally and becomes thinner in the playoffs with Jose Alvarado being ineligible.
The Phillies signed Buehler to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. As a result, it won't need a corresponding move to the 40-man roster at this time. To make room for Mayza, the Phillies transferred Zack Wheeler to the 60-day I.L.
Dombrowski said that adding two pitchers with postseason experience was a big part of the decision to sign them.
"It helps because we were looking for experience," Dombrowski said. "In Mayza's case ... Alvarado can not pitch in the post season, so if [Mayza] pitches as we anticipate - and he's been throwing the ball well at Triple-A in his rehab - he's in a position where it could give us three lefthanders in the bullpen.
"I know in the past we had talked about potentially moving one of our starters - and we could still do that - but the other thing is, without having Wheeler, I'm not sure how that's going to mesh. ... I don't know what's going to happen in that regard."
Buehler, 31, did throw the final pitch of the World Series last year for the Los Angeles Dodgers and had two decent starts - one in the NLCS against the New York Mets and one in the World Series against the New York Yankees before earning the save in Game 5.
Walker Buehler in a month and a half. pic.twitter.com/lPInR9V6St
But aside from that his numbers have been subpar over the past two seasons.
In 2024 with the Dodgers and this season with the Red Sox, Buehler has made 38 starts. He's 8-13 with a 5.42 ERA in 187 2/3 innings with 148 strikeouts and 83 walks. His WHIP is 1.556 and his FIP is 5.74. Both numbers are well below league average.
That said, he has pitched in meaningful games and since Andrew Painter has struggled in his first season at Triple-A after Tommy John surgery, the Phillies decided to take a flier.
Dave Dombrowski tells @AntSanPhilly why the Phillies opted to sign Walker Buehler instead of making an internal promotion: pic.twitter.com/DdmRDKn3d8
"We could have used somebody internal, but we just think this makes us better," Dombrowski said. "We think he's a better alternative for us than what's there. Of course, with Wheeler getting hurt, that contributes to a little lack of depth. We traded (Mick) Abel, so that changes things. Painter's been fine, but he's still working on his command, so we're not ready to make that type of commitment."
Buehler did pitch six scoreless innings against the Padres on Aug. 8, which is something the Phillies hope is indicative that there is still something left in the tank for Buehler.
It will only cost them a prorated amount of the league minimum salary ($760,000) to find out.
The Phillies would like to temporarily shift to a six-man rotation in September because they will play 15 consecutive games after an off day Tuesday in Milwaukee. Dombrowski said Buehler will start for Lehigh Valley on Sept. 6 and then the plan is for him to make his Phillies debut on Sept. 12 at home against Kansas City. The Phillies won't need to make a 40-man roster move until that date, giving them time in case something else needs to happen between now and then,
From 2018-2021 Buehler finished third in the rookie of the year voting and was a two-time All-Star with a 39-13 record and a 2.82 ERA in 94 starts.
As for Mayza, he has been on the 60-day I.L. for most of the season in Pittsburgh after dealing with both a lat and a teres major strain suffered in April. He began a rehab assignment on Aug. 19, so he's been pitching in the minors. Dombrowski said Mayza will join the Phillies in Milwaukee tomorrow were he and Garrett Stubbs will be the call-ups for roster expansion.
Tim Mayza is an elite reliever, but now he also wants a gold glove. pic.twitter.com/JyBI6hPOZv
The Upper Perkiomenville native did appear in seven games for the Pirates and in 9 2/3 innings had a 2.89 ERA and a 1.071 WHIP at the start of the season. He had just started his rehab assignment when he was claimed off waivers.
Mayza, 33, had three very solid seasons out of the Toronto bullpen from 2021-23 going 16-4 with a 2.67 ERA in 155 innings with 154 strikeouts and a 1.103 WHIP. He has pitched in the postseason in each of the past three years with the Blue Jays and the Yankees.
However he struggled mightily in 2024 with both the Blue Jays and Yankees before signing a 1 year, $1.5 million salary with the Pirates.
