Spring training heats up as pitchers battle for the final rotation spot. Who will step up and claim their chance in Arizona?
The San Diego Padres are facing an uphill battle in 2026, with the strong only getting stronger, while they weren’t able to be big players this offseason. Still, general manager A.J. Preller did what he could and brought in enough new players to keep some interest in the Friars.
After back-to-back seasons of at least 90 wins, the Padres are looking to stretch it to three, but they’ll need to iron out some kinks this spring to put themselves in the best position to do so. The biggest area of question, the starting rotation, will be the most looked at position this spring, as there’s still at least one spot at the end of the rotation that needs to be claimed.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter cited the No. 5 starting spot in San Diego’s rotation as the club’s biggest positional battle this spring, with several possible candidates to fill the role. Some new and returning faces could claim the No. 5 spot, and it will all come down to their respective showings in Arizona.
Left-hander JP Sears started five games for the Padres last season, posting a 5.47 ERA in the process. Though he wasn’t great, he can still provide some value as somebody who eats a significant amount of innings in the Padres' rotation. He’s given an additional boost to fill in as the No. 5 starter because of his desperately needed left-handedness that’s completely absent in the first four spots of the team’s rotation.
The Padres recently signed right-hander Griffin Canning to a deal, pending a physical, after posting a career-low ERA in 16 starts with the New York Mets in 2025. He’s probably the best option for the Padres’ rotation, but it’s unclear when he’ll return to the mound after rupturing his Achilles tendon last June.
German Marquez also recently signed with the Friars, but a 6.70 ERA and 1.71 WHIP don’t offer the Padres much reliability if he’s to slot in at the back end of the rotation.
Left-hander Kyle Hart, right-hander Triston McKenzie, right-hander Matt Waldron, left-hander Marco Gonzalez, and right-hander Miguel Mendez are other options for first-time manager Craig Stammen and the Padres as spring continues.
Nick Pivetta, Michael King, and Joe Musgrove offer San Diego a proven front trio in the rotation, but there are legitimate concerns of durability that could be quelled by a strong outing by one or two of the aforementioned pitchers fighting for a spot this spring. It’ll be an important next couple of weeks in Arizona.