Walker Buehler Red Sox release became the headline of the MLB day when Boston cut ties with the two-time World Series champion on August 29, 2025. The club moved on from a one-year, $21.05 million bet on a bounce-back season that never fully materialized, and the decision immediately raised two questions: why now—and where does Buehler land before the postseason roster deadline?
The Transaction, Made Official
Boston announced a multi-move roster shuffle: Walker Buehler released; top pitching prospect Payton Tolle selected from Triple-A Worcester (he’ll wear No. 70); Nick Sogard recalled; and Jhostynxon Garcia optioned. The release ends an expensive, high-variance experiment and resets the rotation’s back end as the calendar nears September.
What Went Wrong in 2025
Buehler’s surface line tells part of the story: a 5.45 ERA in 22 starts (23 appearances) covering 112⅓ innings, with 55 walks. He began the season 4–1, then lost momentum after a bout of shoulder inflammation. Command wavered, traffic spiked, and Boston eventually tried a bullpen look before choosing to part ways.
The broader arc—early promise, physical hiccup, diminished command—tracks with his recent injury history and the difficulty of regaining elite precision after multiple elbow surgeries.
Several outlets captured the same picture: mixed results, rising WHIP, and a front office pivot toward innings it trusts down the stretch. That shift coincides with Tolle’s quick rise and the Sox’s need to stabilize their four and five spots behind the top trio.
The Contract: High Cost, Short Leash
Boston signed Buehler to a one-year, $21.05M deal in December 2024, a classic “prove-it” structure for a former ace coming off major arm work. Reporting also noted a 2026 option with a $3M buyout and performance bonuses baked in. For a club trying to spike upside without long-term risk, the calculus made sense; the release underscores how little patience remains in late August when every game is a standings play.
Why Call Up Payton Tolle?
Because the best answer inside the building might be a lefty who’s simply ready. Tolle has checked boxes at each level, earning the reputation of a strike-thrower with bat-missing traits. He’s part of a broader Red Sox posture under Craig Breslow: trust the hot hand, reward internal performance, and don’t let sunk cost dictate September.
In fact, Tolle’s selection and debut timing speak volumes about how urgently Boston wants competitive innings right now.
Rumors vs. Reality: Is a Dodgers Reunion Happening?
Within hours of the release, social feeds lit up with posts claiming the Dodgers had already signed Buehler to a 1-year, $6.9M deal “per Holly Baylor.” Important context: those claims circulated from parody or non-official accounts and aggregator screenshots—not verified club channels or league transaction logs.
As of this writing, there’s no official confirmation that a deal with Los Angeles (or any team) is done. Treat the “announcement” tiles as unverified until a team or MLB formally records the signing.
Could a reunion make baseball sense? Sure—organizational familiarity, postseason pedigree, and the possibility that shorter bursts unlock better stuff are all reasons for a contender to kick the tires. But roster math, role clarity, and the current Dodgers staff mix will determine whether rumor becomes reality. Credible coverage has framed Los Angeles as a possible fit, not a finalized landing spot.
The Postseason Clock Is Ticking
One rule looms over Buehler’s market: players must be in an organization by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 31 to be broadly eligible for the postseason (subject to narrow injury-replacement exceptions). That makes the next 48 hours a leverage dance between clubs seeking depth and a pitcher eager to reset the narrative in October.
If he signs in time, Buehler could be deployed as multi-inning relief, a spot starter, or matchup-specific weapon—roles that better isolate his strengths if the starter version hasn’t fully returned. (For a plain-English explanation of the rule, see MLB’s postseason eligibility entry.)
What the Data Says About 2025 Buehler
Strip the name off the back and you see a veteran right-hander who struggled to finish counts. Elevated walk totals and fewer ahead-in-the-count sequences forced Buehler into hitter’s counts more often than Boston hoped. Post-inflammation, shape and command consistency didn’t lock in week-to-week.
That’s how a 4–1 start can fade into a mid-5s ERA, especially in the AL East’s ballparks and lineups. Context matters: he missed all of 2023 after a second Tommy John, returned in 2024 with uneven results, then tried to build volume in 2025. The runway was short; the Red Sox couldn’t keep waiting.
Boston’s Perspective: Outcomes Over Résumés
This release fits a season-long theme. Under Breslow, the Sox have blended upside swings with quick pivots when the outcomes lag. The Tolle promotion—aligned with recent public comments about shoring up the rotation behind Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, and Lucas Giolito—signals that development and contention are not mutually exclusive. It also broadcasts to the room: spots are earned in the present tense.
Where Buehler Fits Best—Right Now
There are two realistic lanes:
- Contenders needing multi-inning leverage: Teams with strong 1–3 starters but thin bridges to the ninth might see Buehler’s fastball/cutter profile play up in shorter bursts. If command tightens for 6–9 outs, he can change a series’ texture.
- Clubs seeking a playoff-eligible depth starter: A team on the bubble may prefer a veteran who can absorb September innings and offer a credible Game 4 option if the bracket breaks right.
Because he’s a free agent immediately, the structure is straightforward—short-term, modest base, clear role. The selling point isn’t 2019-21 Buehler; it’s a focused version who can maximize two or three pitches for a month and let October do the rest.
External Link (Reporting)
For straight-news confirmation of the release, contract figure, and season line, see Reuters’ report.
Key Facts, At a Glance
- Release date: Aug. 29, 2025 (official team announcement).
- 2025 line (BOS): 5.45 ERA, 22 starts, 112⅓ IP, 55 BB (plus a brief bullpen stint).
- Contract: 1 year, $21.05M (signed Dec. 2024), with option/buyout details reported by multiple outlets.
- Corresponding move: LHP Payton Tolle selected; he wears No. 70.
- Rumored Dodgers deal: Unconfirmed as of publication; widely shared posts trace to non-official/parody accounts.
- Postseason eligibility: Must be in an organization by Aug. 31, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Bottom Line
The Walker Buehler Red Sox release isn’t about what he used to be; it’s about what Boston needs right now. For Buehler, the story isn’t over. The market will weigh his playoff scar tissue, big-game calm, and the possibility that a tighter role unlocks better results immediately. If he lands before the deadline, he could become one of September’s most interesting gambles—proof that sometimes the second act is shorter, sharper, and exactly what October demands.
