The San Diego Padres entered Spring Training with an open competition for the fifth and final spot in the rotation. Since the start of spring, the Friar Faithful have learned that Joe Musgrove, who is returning after Tommy John surgery, is likely to start the season on the injured list, which means the Padres will have two spots to fill in their rotation.
The competition for what is now two spots in the rotation is likely to result in minor league signee Walker Buehler and major league signee German Marquez occupying those positions, but manager Craig Stammen said roster decisions will be made as late as possible to allow the organization to have the most information available to them. Could that mean San Diego president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller might look to make a trade or sign a free agent? Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball thinks Preller should strongly consider adding the best remaining free agent pitcher, Lucas Giolito, to strengthen the rotation and to provide pitching depth when players like Musgrove or Griffin Canning return to the team when healthy. Of course, there are other players on the roster who could push for a rotation spot and make the need to sign Giolito irrelevant, but with only a week remaining before Opening Day, decisions about how to address the pitching vacancies will have to be made soon.
Padres News:
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There has been a lot of competition in camp this spring for the Padres. A handful of players like Ty France, Jose Miranda and Jase Bowen are pushing for opportunities to make the roster with solid performances in camp. Some of the veterans will have opt-outs that will allow them to seek employment elsewhere, but the best thing for the Padres according to Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball is all this competition means the Padres have renewed organizational depth that could benefit the team at some point during the 2026 season.
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With the World Baseball Classic coming to an end, the players who competed for their respective countries will return to their MLB teams and continue preparing for the upcoming season. That means more Spring Training games that do not count and there is less excitement on the field which the WBC provided. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball gives fans a reason for hope with the upcoming Spring Breakout Series, which allows minor league players from each organization to showcase their skills and give fans of the respective teams a glimpse at their organization’s future.
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Like all teams in MLB, the San Diego organization is still getting used to the new strike zone that has come with the advent of the ABS Challenge System. The catchers seem to have the best grasp of the zone based on their success of getting calls overturned for their pitchers, but the hitters, and their lack of success challenging pitches, have shown they are still trying to learn the new normal as Opening Day approaches.
Baseball News:
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New York Mets pitching prospect Nolan McLean pitched the WBC final for the US against Venezuela and it was easy to see why his is so highly rated. He was consistently hitting 98/99 mph on the radar gun and his sweeper looked unhittable at times. McLean also has MLB star and rival Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper calling him the best arm he saw in 2025.
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