MILWAUKEE — Not only is Walker Buehler not starting Game 1 of the National League Division Series, he will not pitch in at least the Padres’ first two games against the Brewers.
The right-hander is away from the team as his wife, McKenzie, is expected to give birth to their second child Saturday.
Randy Vásquez has been added to the Padres’ playoff roster in Buehler’s place.
Saturday was Buehler’s turn in the rotation, and he almost certainly would have started the opener of the best-of-five series. He held the Brewers to a run on three hits over six innings in August at Petco Park.
Left-hander Robbie Ray will start Game 1 instead.
A player placed on the paternity list can be there a maximum of three days. When he is added back to the roster, the player who replaced him must be dropped.
Buehler was on the roster announced earlier Saturday morning. Had he not been on the initial roster, the Padres could not have added him without a pitcher being injured.
After Sunday’s Game 2 at American Family Field, the teams have Monday off. Buehler would need to be placed on the roster Tuesday before Game 3 at Petco Park.
Here is the updated NLDS roster:
Catchers (3): Luis Campusano, Freddy Fermin, Ethan SalasInfielders (6): Miguel Andujar, Xander Bogaerts, Jake Cronenworth, Ty France, Manny Machado, Gavin SheetsOutfielder (6): Jase Bowen, Dustin Harris, Austin Hays, Jackson Merrill, Fernando Tatis Jr., Samad TaylorPitchers (11): Jason Adam, Michael King, Yuki Matsui, Mason Miller, Adrian Morejón, David Morgan, Joe Musgrove, Nick Pivetta, Robbie Ray, Bradgley Rodriguez, Randy Vásquez