Walker Buehler's Journey to Pain-Free Pitching

Walker Buehler, the right-handed pitcher for the San Diego Padres, recently announced that he is finally pain-free, nearly three years after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery in August 2022. Buehler, who made his spring training debut against the Seattle Mariners, reported that the pain in his elbow ceased about four weeks ago, a significant milestone in his recovery journey. “About four weeks ago, my elbow just stopped hurting,” Buehler stated, expressing his surprise at this development.

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Buehler's career has been marred by elbow injuries, leading to two Tommy John surgeries. The first surgery occurred when he was just 21 years old, after which he enjoyed a successful stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers, posting a 2.90 ERA over his first five seasons. However, since the second surgery, his performance has declined, with a 4.83 ERA over the past three years. His struggles culminated in a disappointing 2025 season with the Boston Red Sox, where he was released midseason after a 5.45 ERA in 23 appearances.

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Now with the Padres, Buehler is competing for a position in the starting rotation alongside fellow pitchers Germán Márquez and Griffin Canning. His recent performance in spring training, where he allowed two earned runs over three innings while striking out four, indicates a potential return to form. Buehler's teammate, Joe Musgrove, who is also recovering from Tommy John surgery, noted that many pitchers often do not feel fully recovered until the two-year mark post-surgery.

New York PostCBS SportsPadres’ Walker Buehler reveals when his elbow stopped hurting after Tommy John surgery

Buehler has expressed uncertainty about the reasons behind his sudden relief from pain, stating, “I’ve tried every treatment and supplement, and vitamin you can…something got rid of it, and it hasn’t come back.” He remains cautiously optimistic about his health moving forward, hoping that if the pain returns, he might experience another unexpected recovery.

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Despite his optimism, some skepticism remains regarding Buehler's ability to maintain his health and performance. Critics point to his inconsistent track record since the surgeries, questioning whether he can regain his previous form as a perennial Cy Young candidate.

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As Buehler continues to participate in spring training, his performance will be closely monitored to determine if he secures a spot on the Padres' Opening Day roster. His journey back to competitive pitching will be pivotal not only for his career but also for the Padres' pitching strategy in the upcoming season.

Padres’ Walker Buehler reveals when his elbow stopped hurting after Tommy John surgery

• “About four weeks ago, my elbow just stopped hurting,” — Walker Buehler, San Diego Padres Pitcher

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• “I've tried every treatment, supplement, and vitamin you can…something got rid of it, and it hasn't come back…I don't know exactly what did it that fixed it. I hope if it hurts again, we get lucky again.” — Walker Buehler, San Diego Padres Pitcher

Padres’ Walker Buehler reveals when his elbow stopped hurting after Tommy John surgery

• “My first [Tommy John surgery] was a bit of an outlier,” — Walker Buehler, San Diego Padres Pitcher

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