After losing their ace Zack Wheeler, the Philadelphia Phillies didn’t sit idly by and made a move that could reignite their National League aspirations.
On Sunday, it was announced that the Phillies claimed left-hander Tim Mayza off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates, an addition that provides another bullpen option for the final stretch, provided he’s included in the 40-man roster and the active roster.
However, that move was overshadowed by a report from Buster Olney (ESPN), who revealed that Philadelphia signed Walker Buehler, a veteran pitcher recently released by the Boston Red Sox after transitioning to the bullpen. The news was confirmed by Matt Gelb (The Athletic).
Rumors of potential interest in Buehler had been circulating for weeks, and now his signing with the team has been finalized.
The Impact of Walker Buehler in Philadelphia
Having been signed before September 1, Buehler is eligible to be included on the postseason roster. This doesn’t guarantee him a spot in the playoffs, but if he performs well, the Phillies will have added an arm with proven experience in high-pressure scenarios.
The big question is his performance. The right-hander is coming off an inconsistent season with Boston, where he posted a 5.45 ERA in 25 appearances (24 as a starter). There were hopes he’d regain his dominant form after recovering from Tommy John surgery, but the numbers didn’t follow.
His ERA+ was well below the league average: 74 in 2024 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and 76 in 2025 with the Red Sox. Additionally, his strikeouts dropped significantly: just 84 in 112 1/3 innings, his career-low rate (21.2%).
Still, this is a low-risk bet. Buehler has shown he can rise to the occasion in critical moments. Last year, after a poor postseason debut, he strung together three outings (two as a starter) without allowing a run: 10 scoreless innings, five hits, 13 strikeouts, and only four walks.
With the season entering its decisive stretch, the Phillies are looking for reliable arms to deliver quality innings, and Buehler’s arrival could be just the boost they need to remain contenders.
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