Padres make minimal changes to roster for NLDS vs. Brewers

October 3rd, 2026

MILWAUKEE -- Officially, the Padres’ National League Division Series roster is unchanged from the group that swept the Cubs in the Wild Card Series earlier this week.

But shortly after the announcement of their roster, right-hander Walker Buehler was placed on the paternity list with fellow righty Randy Vásquez set to take his place until Buehler returns.

Buehler was a candidate to start Game 1 of the NLDS, but Robbie Ray got the nod with Buehler presumably pushed back to start Game 3 or 4 at Petco Park. (Michael King has already been tabbed for Game 2.) Manager Craig Stammen said that decision was made in advance of Buehler landing on the paternity list.

“We didn't want Walker having to pitch on a possible day of the birth of his child and miss that,” Stammen said. “I think it made sense that he's able to stay in San Diego and allow that to happen and not having to worry about pitching and that going on at the same time.”

By rule, when Buehler returns, he will take Vásquez’s place on the roster.

Once again, the Padres will carry 11 pitchers and 15 hitters on their roster. There had been some speculation they might add another pitcher, given they would likely need four starters for the Division Series, rather than three. But Vásquez’s inclusion for the first two games seems to mitigate that concern slightly.

Offensively, the Padres’ decision to carry 15 hitters worked to perfection in the Wild Card Series. Across two games, they used all 15 of their position players -- including three catchers.

“We have a lot of good hitters, and … we have the ability to match up,” Stammen said. “We've got hitters that are capable of doing different things against different pitchers, and we just want to give ourselves the best advantage in that space.”

Here’s the Padres' roster in full: