Padres All-Star Starter to Miss NLDS Games Due to Personal Reasons

San Diego Padres ace Walker Buehler will be absent from some NLDS matches due to personal matters. The team's right-hander Randy Vasquez will step in for Buehler's absence. Buehler's temporary journey on the Postseason Paternity List is expected to last between one to three days, which should not significantly impact the team as he is not scheduled to start in the series' first two games.

Buehler, a 32-start contributor for the Padres this season, posted a 4.63 ERA over 153.2 innings. The nine-year veteran has earned two All-Star selections, both during his seven-season stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Additionally, he boasts extensive postseason experience, having started in 19 postseason games, posting a 3.04 ERA and contributing to two World Series victories.

Vasquez, a four-year veteran, appeared in 32 games for the Padres, with nine pitching out of the bullpen. He threw a career-high 140.2 innings, finishing with an ERA under 4.00 for two consecutive seasons and striking out 87 batters, marking his career high. Despite his tenure with the New York Yankees and Padres, Vasquez has never pitched in the postseason.

The Padres have named their starters for the first two NLDS games, with Robbie Ray set to pitch in the opening game, followed by Michael King in Game 2. Ray, who has never faced the postseason, made nine appearances for the Padres during the regular season, posting a 5.02 ERA over 43 innings. King had a strong season following an injury-shortened year in 2026, making 32 starts, posting a 3.21 ERA, striking out 159 batters, and achieved a career postseason ERA of 2.05 after a stellar performance in the first game of the Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs.