Buchanan signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Tuesday that includes an invite to major-league spring training.

EDGE Analysis

Buchanan had a 5.01 ERA in 35 starts for the Phillies between 2014 and 2015, but he's spent the past number of years playing overseas in Japan and Korea. The 34-year-old righty started 30 games for the Samsung Lions of the KBO last season and had a 2.54 ERA and 139:43 K:BB across 188 innings.

Buchanan re-signed Dec. 8 with the Korea Baseball Organization's Samsung Lions on a one-year, $1 million contract, Jee-ho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency reports.

EDGE Analysis

Buchanan will remain in Korea for a second straight season after he emerged as one of the Lions' top pitchers in 2020, finishing with a 3.45 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 174.2 innings. The right-hander's pitch-to-contact style likely fits better in the KBO than it would against the more power-oriented hitters in MLB, so the 31-year-old's time in North America could be over at this point. Buchanan previously made 35 starts with the Phillies between the 2014 and 2015 seasons, logging a 5.01 ERA over 192.1 innings.

Buchanan signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Yakult Swallows of the Nippon Professional Baseball League, Corey Seidman of CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Buchanan was 10-9 with a 3.98 ERA and a 95:40 K:BB in 167.1 innings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season. He was released by the Phillies in November. Buchanan failed as a starter in the majors, but he has a good chance of finding success overseas.

Buchanan was released by the Phillies on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

He was designated for assignment last week and it seems the two sides opted to part ways so that Buchanan could explore other options. The 27-year-old righty was never able to establish himself as a reliable back end starter in Philadelphia, as he posted a 5.01 ERA and 13.5 percent strikeout rate in 192.1 innings (35 starts).

Buchanan was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

With the number of higher profile prospects coming up the pipeline, there simply wasn't room for Buchanan to stay on the 40-man roster. There's still hope for the 27-year-old, as he was a serviceable starter with good control at Triple-A last season. That being said, his ceiling now sits more at a back-end starter or even a long reliever in the majors.

Buchanan or Adam Morgan are the likely options to replace Zach Eflin in the Phillies' rotation, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Buchanan is 5-2 with a 2.94 ERA and a 43:15 K:BB in 67.1 innings over his last 10 starts at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He will likely be recalled in September if he not selected to replace Eflin in the rotation this weekend.

Buchanan had his start skipped at Triple-Aon Tuesday and is a strong candidate to start Thursday at Colorado, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Buchanan, who had a 6.99 ERA in 15 starts last season, has minimal fantasy value if he does indeed get the start for the Phillies at Coors Field. He currently holds a 4.77 ERA in 88.2 innings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Buchanan and Alec Asher were optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

With Buchanan and Asher bowing out of the race, Philadelphia is left with Vince Velasquez, Brett Oberholtzer and Adam Morgan competing for the No. 5 starter spot. The 26-year-old Buchanan was one of the worst starters in the majors last season, posting a 6.99 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, 5.33 FIP and 44:29 K:BB across 74.2 innings (15 starts).

Buchanan will compete for the fifth spot in the Phillies' rotation this spring, the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Buchanan went 2-9 with a 6.99 ERA and a 44:29 K:BB ratio in 74.2 innings for the Phillies last season. He will compete with Vincent Velasquez, Brett Oberholtzer, Adam Morgan, Alec Asher and Severino Gonzalez this spring. He will need a huge spring to have any real shot at earning a rotation spot after last season's struggles.

Buchanan allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits over 6.2 innings Sunday against the Marlins. He struck out seven and walked one.

EDGE Analysis

Buchanan finished the season on a high note. He had a 3.16 ERA and an 18:8 K:BB ratio in 25.2 innings over his last five starts. Overall, he finishes the year 2-9 with a 6.99 ERA and a 44:29 K:BB ratio in 74.2 innings. He won't be guaranteed a rotation spot next spring, so he will need to perform to avoid a trip back to Triple-A.