Walker Buehler Hits the Postseason Paternity List, Forcing a Padres Rotation Shuffle
Bob Nightengale reported the roster move on Twitter.
Walker Buehler is officially a dad, which is fantastic news for his family and mildly terrifying news for the San Diego Padres' playoff rotation.
According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the veteran right-hander is heading to the Postseason Paternity List. Randy Vásquez has been called up to take his spot on the active roster until Buehler returns from diaper duty.
Look, congratulations are absolutely in order, but any diehard baseball fan will tell you that October is a terrible time to have a baby. You have to schedule these things for November or December. A postseason paternity leave is the ultimate test of a franchise's pitching depth.
The timing is definitely a hurdle for San Diego. The Padres have been rolling lately, putting up big runs against the Arizona Diamondbacks and shutting down the Chicago Cubs. They are scheduled to wrap up a series with Chicago before heading to Milwaukee for a massive weekend set against the Brewers.
Swapping Buehler for Vásquez completely changes the math for the upcoming matchups. Buehler is a guy with a proven track record of handling high-stress October innings. Vásquez is now stepping into a pressure cooker where every single pitch carries massive weight.
For anyone looking at the betting markets, this roster shuffle is a massive variable. A starting pitching change in the playoffs swings moneylines and totals aggressively, especially when you downgrade from a frontline starter to a depth arm.
The Padres just have to hold the line until Buehler gets back. If Vásquez can eat some innings and keep the bullpen fresh against the Brewers, San Diego will be perfectly fine. If not, this baby might owe the city an apology.