Two former Red Sox, who began their careers as stars in the National League, are back in the NL on the division rival of their former team.

Right-hander Walker Buehler, who pitched for the Red Sox and Phillies last season, returned to the NL West this week on a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres.

Buehler, 31, was a Los Angeles Dodger for the first seven years of his career, and a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion when he became a free agent for the first time last offseason. The Red Sox signed him to a one-year contract for 2025, but released him after he posted a 5.45 ERA in 23 games (22 starts). Buehler then appeared in three regular-season games for the Phillies, and allowed just one earned run in 13 2/3 innings (0.66 ERA).

First baseman and left-fielder Dom Smith, a fan-favorite from the 2024 Red Sox season, who began his career with the New York Mets, is in Atlanta Braves camp as a non-roster invitee.

The Red Sox signed Smith, now 30, to a one-year major league contract on May 1, 2024 as a replacement for injured first baseman Triston Casas. Smith became a fan-favorite over his 84 games for Boston. He batted .237 with a .706 OPS, his best mark since 2020, and in the first and only pitching appearances of his career, gave the Red Sox scoreless innings in three blowout losses.

A Rule 5 trifecta?

There are two elite Rule 5 Draft arms in the Boston bullpen. The Red Sox hope a three-peat is in the works.

In 2020, the Red Sox snatched right-hander Garrett Whitlock from the New York Yankees. He’s now the longest-tenured pitcher on the active roster, and it’s no coincidence that the club’s most recent winning seasons and playoff berths came about when the righty was dominating in the Boston bullpen.

Fellow righty Justin Slaten came to the Red Sox via trade from the New York Mets shortly after New York claimed him in the 2023 draft. In his first two seasons with the Red Sox he posted a 3.43 ERA over 80 appearances, with 83 strikeouts and 19 walks in 89 1/3 innings.

The Red Sox pulled off another Rule 5 trade back in December, to get Ryan Watson from the San Francisco Giants.

Watson, Slaten, Sonny Gray, Brayan Bello, Connelly Early and Tyler Samaniego threw to live hitters on Tuesday.

“He threw a lot of strikes today,” Alex Cora said of Watson. “That’s what we want. (His) stuff is really good.”

“Obviously everybody’s going to start comparing him to the Whitlock situation and Slaten,” the Red Sox manager continued, “One thing they did: they threw strikes from the get-go. And today was a good day.”

Devers responds to Red Sox jab

Red Sox chairman Tom Werner added kindling to the still-burning Rafael Devers discourse on Monday when he spoke to the Boston Globe.

“I don’t like to speak ill of any player,” Werner said. “I’d like to say that he’s a wonderful person… But, of course, when we had an injury at first base [to Triston Casas] his unwillingness to play that position was extremely discouraging.”

“It was a discouraging episode,” Werner added. “Just pick up a glove.”

Speaking to reporters in San Francisco Giants camp on Tuesday, Devers responded (via interpreter), “That’s in the past. I don’t want to talk about it. It’s over. I don’t have any opinions on what he said. So, let’s concentrate here and just leave the past in the past.”

Extra innings

Alex Cora believes former Colorado Rockies infielder Brendan Rodgers has more levels to unlock, both offensively and defensively. “We think offensively there’s more there,” Cora said of the 2022 NL Gold Glove second baseman. “We haven’t talked about (first base), but wouldn’t be surprised if he could handle the position.” … If Romy Gonzalez’s shoulder prevents him from being ready for the start of the season, Cora views Andruw Monasterio, Nate Eaton and Nick Sogard as options who can play multiple positions and hit left-handed pitching.