Phillies sign Walker Buehler, assign to Triple-A Lehigh Valley

The Philadelphia Phillies signed veteran right-hander Walker Buehler on Sunday, two days after the Boston Red Sox released him, and assigned the 31-year-old to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Because the deal was completed before the September roster deadline, Buehler will be eligible for postseason play if the Phillies add him to a major-league roster in October, team officials said.

Buehler’s departure from Boston followed a difficult season in which he posted a 5.45 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 23 appearances, 22 of them starts, totaling 112 1/3 innings. The Red Sox moved him to the bullpen in late August and he made one relief outing, allowing two runs in 2 1/3 innings against the New York Yankees. Boston’s front office released Buehler to clear a 40-man spot for top prospect Payton Tolle; Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow called the decision “really, really tough” and said the club released him rather than designating him for assignment to allow him to sign elsewhere immediately.

Philadelphia’s acquisition comes amid a pressing need for pitching depth after ace Zack Wheeler was lost for the season with thoracic outlet syndrome. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave...