Walker Buehler Back With Padres Following Paternity Leave

After being away from the team for the first two games of the NL Division Series, the San Diego Padres have one of their veteran pitchers back.

Right-hander Walker Buehler was activated by the Padres from the paternity list Monday, with another right-hander, Randy Vasquez, being taken off the roster.

Buehler and his wife, McKenzie, were expecting the birth of their second child Saturday, the same day of Game 1 of the best-of-five series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Buehler had been in consideration to start Game 1, but that assignment went to left-hander Robbie Ray, perhaps because Buehler was going to be with his wife. Right-hander Nick Pivetta is scheduled to start Game 3 on Wednesday, with Buehler a possibility for Game 4.

Vasquez did not pitch in either of the first two games of the Division Series. He was left off the roster for the NL Wild Card Series after pitching six innings in the regular-season finale, leaving him unlikely to pitch in the best-of-three series that the Padres swept from the Chicago Cubs.

The Padres return home to Petco Park for Game 3 of the Division Series facing a 2-0 deficit against the Brewers. The Padres won both of the Wild Card Series games at Petco Park after a 26-6 finish at home to conclude the regular season.