Walker Buehler is the starting pitcher for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs tonight less than a week after signing a minor league deal with the Phillies. Buehler’s 2025 season has been a difficult and revealing stretch in what was once a promising career. After missing all of 2023 due to a second Tommy John surgery and struggling through a rocky 2024 with the Dodgers, Buehler entered 2025 hoping to reestablish himself. He began the season with the Red Sox but was released last Friday after an inconsistent performance for Boston and the Phillies wasted little time in signing him. Across 23 games – 22 starts – he posted a 7–7 record with a 5.45 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP, allowing 22 home runs in just over 112 innings. His strikeout numbers were modest (84), and opponents hit .277 against him, a clear sign that his pitches were no longer fooling hitters the way they once did.

The Phillies signed Buehler to a minor league contract, but added him to the 40-man roster, which makes him eligible for the postseason with the Phillies. The plan is for Buehler to make one start with Lehigh Valley and then join what will be a six-man rotation with the Phillies beginning on September 12th. Buehler will be in the conversation for a spot on the Phillies postseason roster, most likely out of the bullpen. Considering the struggles of Aaron Nola, Buehler becoming a part of the postseason starting rotation is not out of the question. Basically, his time with the Phillies will be an audition. For now, the Phillies are focused on Buehler as a potential arm for the remainder of the season and postseason, but if he can rebound, the Phillies could consider keeping him around past this season.

The root of Buehler’s struggles appears to be multifaceted. Physically, he’s still working back from major surgery, and his fastball – once a high-velocity weapon with late life – has lost some of its edge. He’s also battled command issues, walking 55 batters and often falling behind in counts. Mentally, Buehler has been candid about the toll this decline has taken, describing his own performance as “f—ing embarrassing” and admitting to a stubbornness about making mechanical adjustments. That resistance to change early in the season may have cost him valuable time to recalibrate.

Throughout his career, Buehler has relied on a diverse pitch mix: a four-seam fastball in the 95–97 mph range, a cutter around 90 mph, a sharp curveball in the low 80s, and occasional sliders and changeups. In 2025, however, the effectiveness of these pitches has diminished. His fastball has become more hittable, lacking the late movement that once made it elite. The cutter remains useful against left-handed hitters but has been inconsistent. His curveball still shows good depth but has been left up in the zone too often, leading to damage. The slider and changeup are used sparingly and haven’t generated much swing-and-miss this season.

Despite the setbacks, Buehler’s pedigree – two All-Star selections, a World Series ring, and a reputation for postseason poise – suggests there’s still potential if he can regain command and velocity. But 2025 has made it clear: the margin for error is thinner than ever, and the path back to dominance will require both physical recovery and a willingness to evolve.