in 2019 and 2021 and established himself as a “big-game” pitcher with his performance in the Dodgers’ one-game playoff for the division with the Colorado Rockies in 2018 (one hit in 6 2/3 scoreless innings) and in the postseason. He leaves the Dodgers with a 3.04 ERA in 19 postseason appearances including just one run in 19 World Series innings.

Buehler underwent a second Tommy John surgery and a flexor tendon repair in 2022 and missed all of the 2023 season. He struggled to regain his form in his comeback season, going 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA in 18 starts during the 2024 season.

But he came through for the Dodgers during the postseason again, throwing 10 scoreless innings in the NLCS and World Series including the final inning of the clinching victory over the New York Yankees.

Just two days after throwing five scoreless innings in the Dodgers’ Game 3 victory at Yankee Stadium, Buehler volunteered to pitch out of the bullpen in Game 5 and retired the side in order in the ninth inning, striking out the final two batters to secure the Dodgers’ first full-season World Series victory since 1988.

The Dodgers’ 2025 rotation will include a number of pitchers returning from injuries (Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May) as well as two-time Cy Young award winner Blake Snell, signed to a five-year, $182 million contract as a free agent.