Buehler, Márquez Aim to Reinvent Themselves After Elbow Surgeries

Two veteran pitchers look to regain effectiveness with altered mechanics and reduced velocity

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:33am

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An abstract, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's delivery broken down into fragmented geometric shapes and planes in muted earth tones, ochres, and blues, with the ball's trajectory cutting through the composition.Two veteran pitchers attempt to rebuild their careers with altered mechanics after elbow surgeriesSan Diego Today

The San Diego Padres are relying on veteran pitchers Walker Buehler and Germán Márquez to fill out their rotation after injuries to other starters. Both Buehler and Márquez have undergone elbow surgeries and are working to adapt their deliveries and repertoires to compensate for diminished velocity. Early results have been mixed, with Buehler struggling to maintain his new mechanics and Márquez finding success by leaning heavily on his curveball.

Why it matters

The Padres' playoff hopes hinge on getting consistent production from their starting rotation. If Buehler and Márquez can't successfully reinvent themselves as finesse pitchers, the team may have to turn to other options, potentially taxing the bullpen and putting a strain on the team's postseason aspirations.

The details

In two starts each, Buehler has shown promise in the first two innings before faltering, while Márquez had one poor outing followed by a strong performance where he relied heavily on his curveball. Both pitchers are working to incorporate changes to their deliveries and pitch mixes to adapt to reduced velocity after elbow surgeries. The Padres are hopeful that at least one of the veterans can find success, but they have other options waiting in the wings if the experiments with Buehler and Márquez don't pan out.

  • Buehler has pitched 6.2 innings over two starts so far this season.
  • Márquez has pitched 8 innings over two starts so far this season.
  • Matt Waldron is almost done with his rehab and Griffin Canning has begun his starter progression, providing the Padres with additional rotation options.

The players

Walker Buehler

A veteran starting pitcher for the San Diego Padres who is working to adapt his delivery and repertoire after undergoing elbow surgery.

Germán Márquez

A veteran starting pitcher for the San Diego Padres who is relying heavily on his curveball to find success after elbow surgery.

Matt Waldron

A Padres pitcher who is nearing the end of his rehab and could provide another rotation option for the team.

Griffin Canning

A Padres pitcher who has begun his starter progression and could also be an option for the rotation.

Ruben Niebla

The Padres' pitching coach who worked with Márquez to address pitch-tipping issues.

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What they’re saying

“By nature of doing new stuff for three or four days, I can hold it for a (while) and then it goes away. It's just getting the new stuff into the throw.... I feel good about the first two innings. So net positive, I guess.”

— Walker Buehler

“Márquez was tipping his pitches and the hitters took advantage. They worked on his delivery in his between starts bullpen session.”

— Ruben Niebla, Padres Pitching Coach

What’s next

The Padres will continue to monitor Buehler and Márquez's progress as they work to adapt to their new pitching styles. If neither pitcher is able to find consistent success, the team may need to turn to other options like Waldron and Canning to fill out the rotation.

The takeaway

Buehler and Márquez are veteran pitchers facing a critical juncture in their careers as they attempt to reinvent themselves after elbow surgeries. Their ability to successfully adapt their deliveries and repertoires will play a major role in determining the Padres' postseason fortunes this season.