Padres place Walker Buehler on postseason paternity list

The San Diego Padres placed pitcher Walker Buehler on the postseason paternity list before their National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, with Randy Vasquez temporarily taking his place on the active roster. Major League Baseball said Buehler may be away from the team for one to three days; when he returns, he will replace Vasquez on the roster. The move leaves Buehler’s availability for the series’ opening games uncertain. The Padres have announced left-hander Robbie Ray as their Game 1 starter and Michael King for Game 2. Buehler’s earliest possible return to pitch is Game 3, scheduled for Tuesday in San Diego, but the team has not established when he will be back or whether he will pitch in the series. Buehler’s wife, McKenzie, is expected to give birth to their second child, according to one report. The roster announcement confirms the paternity-list placement but does not specify the circumstances behind it. The postseason list permits a player to be away for at least one day and no more than three. Vasquez, who made 32 appearances for San Diego during the regular season, including nine out of the bullpen, is the temporary replacement.