PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies signed veteran right-hander Walker Buehler on Sunday in a bid to bolster their pitching staff for a long playoff run.
The 31-year-old Buehler, a two-time National League All-Star who helped the Los Angeles Dodgers to World Series titles in 2020 and 2024, was released by Boston Red Sox on Friday after going 7-7 with a 5.45 ERA in 23 games this season, 22 of which were starts.
The NL East-leading Phillies have an opening in their rotation after ace Zack Wheeler was recently lost for the season -- and possibly longer -- due to thoracic outlet syndrome.
Buehler, who will be eligible to pitch in the postseason, was assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
"We're excited to have him because we think he makes us better," Phillies president Dave Dombrowski said. "We're trying to do anything we can to qualify for the postseason and then, if we make it, to do anything we can to win."
Dombrowski said Buehler would make a start for Lehigh Valley on Saturday then start for the Phillies at home on Sept. 12 against the Kansas City Royals as part of a six-man starting rotation.
"He's happy with the plan; we're happy with the plan," Dombrowski said.
Buehler signed a one-year, $21.05 million deal last offseason with the Red Sox and was expected to be a key member of their rotation. But he went on the injured list early in the season with a shoulder injury and never found his top form.
Boston demoted the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder from its rotation following his Aug. 19 start. Buehler made one appearance for the Red Sox out of the bullpen, allowing two runs in 2⅓ innings at the New York Yankees on Aug. 24. He was released to make room for top prospect Payton Tolle.
One of Buehler's better outings this season came against the Phillies in Philadelphia on July 21, when he allowed one earned run on six hits in seven innings while striking out four and walking one. It left an impression on Dombrowski and Philly's brass.
"He still has a good arm," Dombrowski said while acknowledging some of Buehler's struggles this season. "But we still like a lot of his stuff."
Dombrowski said Phillies officials, including manager Rob Thomson, had a good videoconference conversation with Buehler and his representatives that featured a back-and-forth with pitching coach Caleb Cotham in which the two connected.
"We think we see some things that can hopefully help him," Dombrowski said of Buehler. "He's willing to work with us."