Has Walker Buehler thrown his last pitch in a Dodgers uniform?
Major League Baseball insider J.P. Morosi thinks the Atlanta Braves could be the new home for the Kentucky native.
Atlanta’s need to bolster its starting rotation is evident. With Max Fried and Charlie Morton hitting free agency, the Braves face significant gaps in their pitching staff.
Spencer Strider, recovering from last year’s UCL surgery, is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day.
The current rotation is led by probable Cy Young winner Chris Sale, reliever-turned-starter Reynaldo Lopez, and standout 2024 rookie Spencer Schwellenbach.
As for the back-end roles, the team has several internal candidates, including Griffin Canning (acquired in the Jorge Soler trade), Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, and Bryce Elder.
“For all these reasons… the Braves are close to home for him,” Morosi said. “Of course, he’s got the Kentucky roots. He pitched at Vanderbilt. It’s a nice fit for him.”
After sitting out the 2023 season, Buehler returned to pitch 75.1 innings in 2024 but struggled with a 5.38 ERA.
Buehler’s postseason started on a rough note when the San Diego Padres tagged him for six runs over five innings in his first outing. But from there, he impressively flipped the script.
Over his next 10 innings, Buehler didn’t allow a single run, striking out 13 while issuing just four walks.
He put together two scoreless starts, pitching four innings in one and five in the other, showcasing his resilience when the Dodgers needed it most.
The defining moment of Buehler’s postseason run came in Game 5 of the World Series. Just two days after starting Game 3, he took the mound in the ninth inning to close out the Yankees and secure the championship for Los Angeles.
It was a gutsy performance that cemented his place in Dodgers lore, wrapping the season up on the ultimate high note. For Buehler, it was a redemption story and a reminder of his ability to shine under pressure.
While his strong postseason finish turned some heads, he’s largely seen as a bounce-back candidate after a rough 2024 campaign.
This past season was his first since undergoing the second Tommy John surgery of his career, and the lingering rust was hard to miss.
