MILWAUKEE (AP) — Walker Buehler’s growing family made it an easier decision for San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen to hand the NL Division Series Game 1 starting pitching assignment to Robbie Ray.
Buehler was placed on the postseason paternity list Saturday, several hours before the Padres opened the best-of-five series with the Milwaukee Brewers. Buehler otherwise might have been a candidate to start Game 1.
“I think we didn’t want Walker having to pitch on a possible day of the birth of his child and miss that,” Stammen said before Saturday’s game. “I think it made sense that he’s able to stay in San Diego and allow that happen and not having to worry about pitching and that going on at the same time.”
The paternity list assignment allows Buehler to be away from the team for a minimum of one day and a maximum of three days. Pitcher Randy Vásquez is filling Buehler’s spot on the Padres’ NLDS roster for now.
“Exciting time for him and his wife to be having a baby this weekend,” Stammen said. “Happens to be during the Division Series, which is exciting. Don’t have any word on what’s going on yet, but it could happen at any moment.”
Neither Buehler nor Ray pitched in the Padres’ Wild Card Series sweep of the Chicago Cubs. Buehler last pitched on Sept. 26 and was 1-0 with a 4.43 ERA in 22 1/3 innings in September. Ray last pitched Sept. 23 and was 2-1 with a 7.56 ERA in 16 2/3 September innings.
Ray, the 2021 AL Cy Young Award winner, was 13-8 with a 3.59 ERA in 31 combined appearances with San Francisco and San Diego during the regular season. Buehler, a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 2020 and 2024 World Series championship teams, was 9-6 with a 4.63 ERA in 32 starts.
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Robbie Ray throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Walker Buehler works against an Arizona Diamondbacks batter in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Karl Anderson)
Last season: 45-37, lost to Oklahoma City in first round of playoffs.
COACH: Jordan Ott (2nd season, 45-37).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 21 at Portland.
DEPARTURES: G Grayson Allen, F Royce O'Neale, F Amir Coffey
ADDITIONS: F Miles Bridges, G Luke Kennard, F Koa Peat, C Duop Reath
The Suns are hoping for growth from within, bringing back a big chunk of last year's roster that had a surprisingly successful season. Five-time All-Star Devin Booker is the cornerstone of the franchise, and he's surrounded by a hard-nosed lineup that includes forward Dillon Brooks, along with guards Jalen Green, Jordan Goodwin and Collin Gillespie. Young players like center Khaman Maluach and forwards Koa Peat and Rasheer Fleming will try to secure steady spots in the playing rotation.
The good: Booker returns for his 12th NBA season — all with the Suns — and the team's strategy will revolve around his scoring and playmaking. Under first-year coach Jordan Ott, the Suns earned a reputation for being one of the hardest-playing teams in the league, picking up some surprise wins in the first half of the season despite battling injuries to key players. Phoenix could feature one of the best second units in the league with guards Gillespie, Goodwin and Luke Kennard leading the way. Maluach, a massive 7-foot-1 center, is a tantalizing prospect after being selected with the No. 10 pick last season.
The not-so-good: It's hard to see how the Suns will be much better than last year's 45-win version. They added a few pieces like forward Miles Bridges and Kennard but also lost key contributors Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale. Starting center Mark Williams is likely out for several months because of a torn labrum, hurting the team's post depth. The Suns are also a little small at the wing/forward spot and were occasionally bullied by teams in the paint last year. They really need Fleming — a 6-foot-9 forward — to develop into a consistent rotation player in Year 2.
Green averaged 17.2 points per game in his first season with the Suns, but he was limited to just 34 games because of various injuries. The 6-foot-4 guard is still just 24 years old and has averaged nearly 20 points per game over five NBA seasons. He's arguably the best athlete on the team, possessing a rare ability to blow past defenders and get to the basket. He could take a big step forward with better health and more experience playing with Booker in the backcourt.
See AP’s full NBA coverage here
Phoenix Suns Head Coach Jordan Ott watches against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Phoenix Suns guard Dillon Brooks (3) points during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Harry Figiel)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (15) drives on Detroit Pistons' Ausar Thompson (9) during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
