There have been a few interesting additions to the Philadelphia Phillies roster this season. From Harrison Bader and Jhoan Duran at the trade deadline to David Robertson and Walker Buehler in free agency, the roster has changed a bit from the start of the year.
Of those additions, the only one with an uncertain role this October is Buehler. The former Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star starting pitcher struggled this season with the Boston Red Sox and was released near the end of August. And two days later, the Phillies signed him.
He's made one solid start for the Phillies. But looking ahead to the postseason, what will Buehler's role be? Matt Gelb of The Athletic shared the Phillies' decision on Buehler, and it's a firm one that solidifies where Buehler is on the roster heading into October.
The Phillies decide on Walker Buehler's postseason role
"Buehler remains intriguing," Gelb writes, "although the Phillies have no plans to use him as a starter in October. When they need a fourth starter - should they advance to the NL Championship series - it's probably Aaron Nola."
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Phillies won't be using Buehler, a starting pitcher for the entirety of his career, as a starting pitcher. Instead, the Phillies will look to use the right-hander out of the bullpen, just as they plan to do with Taijuan Walker.
They're already experimenting with Buehler out of the bullpen, as the Phillies are trotting out a "Taijuan Walker-Walker Buehler" pitching matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks, with Walker starting the game, and Buehler coming in during the middle of the game for a longer relief appearance.
In his big league career, of Buehler's 155 regular-season games and 19 postseason games, just 11 haven't been as a starter. However, his lone relief appearance came in 2024, as he closed out the World Series for the Dodgers over the New York Yankees.
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Before coming to Philadelphia, Buehler had a 5.45 ERA in 22 starts across 112.1 innings pitched. His lone start for the Phillies was a five-inning, one-run outing in a win over the Kansas City Royals. He allowed one walk and five hits, striking out three in his Phillies debut.
Despite a solid showing, the Phillies aren't planning on keeping the veteran right-hander as a starter. Instead, evidenced by their plan for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, the Phillies will use Buehler as a reliever.
It's been a tumultuous season for Buehler, and the hope is that he settles in as a solid long reliever for the Phillies for their World Series hunt this October. He has a solid postseason resume, a 3.04 ERA in 19 games, and will be a factor in the Phillies' bullpen.
Gelb's report that the Phillies have "no plan" to use Buehler as a starter is a clear indication of his spot on the roster. The Phillies have their four key starters, and Buehler is, at best, the fifth or sixth starter - something teams don't need for a postseason series.
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