Walker Buehler is headed back to the NL West. The former Dodger is reportedly joining division rival San Diego, as he looks to get his career back on track after a promising stint with the Phillies. Plus, the Mets added former Yankee and Cub Mike Tauchman to their organization.
Buehler to Padres on Minor League deal
Per the San Diego Union-Tribune, the San Diego Padres have agreed to sign Walker Buehler to a Minor League deal.
The 2025 campaign was a very interesting one for Buehler. Overall, Buehler posted a 4.93 ERA and only struck out 92 batters over 126 innings between Boston and the Phillies. The Red Sox released Walker Buehler in late August but quickly found refuge in Philadelphia. Buehler slotted in Zack Wheeler‘s rotation spot over the final month of the regular season.
The veteran righty pitched very well for the Phillies. Buehler allowed only one run over 13.2 IP, although he only struck out eight and walked six across three outings (two starts) in September.
Buehler made some adjustments with Caleb Cotham in Philadelphia. Among them was switching to a more traditional windup, going with the hands over the head between his time in Boston and Philadelphia.
Additionally, Buehler switched up how he used his arsenal as a starter.
With the Phillies, Buehler’s four-seam fastball usage jumped from the roughly 20-25% usage (as high as 27%) with the Red Sox to over 34% as a Phillie. His changeup usage also rose, as well.
Tauchman joins Mets
Per the New York Post, the Mets signed veteran outfielder Mike Tauchman to a Minor League deal.
The 35-year-old spent 2025 with the White Sox, where he slashed .263/.356/.400 with nine home runs and 27 extra-base hits over 93 contests. Walk rates have long been a plus for Tauchman, who rarely expands out of the strike zone. Tauchman posted a BB% north of 10% in every single one of his Major League seasons.
Rengifo to Brewers
The Brewers officially signed Luis Rengifo to an MLB deal on February 16.
Rengifo spent most of his professional career and all of his MLB career as a member of the Los Angeles Angels. The 28-year-old provided value as a versatile infielder who could hit for power. He hit 33 combined home runs between the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
The new Brewer has traditionally been a very good hitter against lefties. Two seasons ago, Rengifo slashed .352/.397/.500 in 58 plate appearances. Rengifo posted a .900+ OPS against southpaws in 2022 and 2023.
That is notable, especially now that the Brewers don’t have Caleb Durbin or Andruw Monasterio in the organization any longer.
Other moves
The Yankees sent outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez outright to Triple-A Scranton.
St. Louis re-claimed pitcher Zak Kent off waivers from the Texas Rangers. Kent was in the Cardinals organization for one month, between December 2025 and January 2026, before he was DFA’d and re-acquired by the Rangers.
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