Padres Activate Walker Buehler Onto NLDS Roster

The Padres reinstated Walker Buehler from the paternity list during Monday’s off day. Randy Vásquez, who’d been active for the first two games of the Division Series as a replacement, has been removed from the roster.

San Diego started Robbie Ray and Michael King for the two games in Milwaukee. Ray failed to escape the third inning in a 3-2 loss in Game 1. King pitched very well over five-plus innings in the second game. San Diego nevertheless took a heartbreaking loss when Jackson Chourio hit a two-run walk-off single against Mason Miller with two outs in the ninth.

Both games were so tight that the Padres exclusively used their more important relievers: Miller, Adrian Morejon, Bradgley Rodriguez, Yuki Matsui and Jason Adam. Vásquez, who was on the roster as a long man, didn’t make an appearance. He’ll miss the remainder of the series barring an injury on the pitching staff.

It remains to be seen if Buehler will be a factor. The Padres have tabbed Nick Pivetta to take the ball in Game 3, the first of what they hope will be three straight must-win games. The Brewers are countering with Dustin May. Neither team has announced plans for a potential Game 4 if the Padres stave off elimination.

San Diego manager Craig Stammen told reporters (including Jared Greenspan of MLB.com) that Buehler is an option for the start in Game 4 but will be available in relief tomorrow. It’s an all hands on deck approach for the Friars with their backs against the wall. Buehler turned in a 4.63 ERA with a slightly below-average 20.1% strikeout rate over 32 starts this year, ranking second on the team in innings. He struggled early but had a solid 3.62 ERA after the All-Star Break.