After enduring the challenges of two Tommy John surgeries over the past few years, Walker Buehler is finally experiencing relief as he embarks on a new chapter with the San Diego Padres. The right-handed pitcher, who signed a minor league deal with the team in mid-February, made his spring debut on Thursday against the Seattle Mariners, allowing two earned runs over three innings while striking out four batters.

Reflecting on his journey, Buehler expressed his surprise at the recent turn of events regarding his elbow. “About four weeks ago, my elbow just stopped hurting,” he shared with reporters post-game. “That’s a new one for me. … Things have kind of ticked up from there.” Just weeks prior, Buehler felt that securing a spot in an MLB rotation was a daunting challenge, especially with lingering elbow issues that had plagued him through the winter.

In the competition for a place in the back end of San Diego’s rotation, Buehler is joined by veteran Germán Márquez and former Met Griffin Canning. At just 31 years old, Buehler is looking to recapture the dominance he showcased during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he earned All-Star honors in 2019 and 2021 and was consistently in the conversation for the Cy Young Award.

His 2021 season saw him finish fourth in the National League Cy Young voting, but after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery the following year, he struggled to regain that form. Despite playing a critical role in the Dodgers’ 2024 World Series victory, where he secured the championship in Game 5 at Yankee Stadium, his regular season was marred by inconsistency, as he posted a 5.38 ERA over 16 starts.

Buehler’s attempt to reestablish himself with a one-year, $21 million deal with the Boston Red Sox last season ended in disappointment, resulting in his release after a 7-7 record and a 5.45 ERA in 23 appearances. However, a late-season stint with the Philadelphia Phillies showcased a glimmer of his former brilliance, as he went 3-0 with a remarkable 0.66 ERA in three outings.

As Buehler works to revive his career and adapt to the dynamics of the Padres-Dodgers rivalry, he finds camaraderie with his new teammate Joe Musgrove, who is also on the road to recovery from Tommy John surgery. Musgrove noted that many pitchers he has spoken with usually don’t feel completely back to normal until around the two-year mark post-surgery, a sentiment Buehler can relate to.

“My first [Tommy John surgery] was a bit of an outlier,” Buehler reflected. “I was 21 years old and got way bigger, way stronger, and my first live [game] I felt better than I ever had. The second [surgery], that timeline checks out. … Maybe mine was even more delayed. I’ve tried every treatment and supplement, and vitamin you can. … Something got rid of it, and it hasn’t come back. I’m a little scared. I don’t know exactly what did it that fixed it. I hope if it hurts again, we get lucky again. But, all in all, it’s in a really good spot.”

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

William Caldwell is a veteran journalist whose career has spanned the highs and lows of the sports world. With a focus on baseball and hockey, William’s articles are known for their depth and historical perspective, making him a favorite among fans who appreciate the rich traditions of sports. Outside the press box, William is an amateur historian with a particular interest in sports memorabilia.