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2026 Padre Season
#41 · April 14, 2026, 4:03 am
Through basically 1/10th of the regular season, I'll take 10-6 record for every 16 games, which would be on pace for a 100 win season!
That said, SP is still a major concern, especially with Pivetta going down. Let's hope it is only for a couple of starts and not an season ending injury. Next man up, Waldron? Still need more from Buehler and Marquez. Plus Canning is not far away from ending his injury rehab to possibly replace either Buehler or Marquez.
Hoping the pen bounces back some, especially Morejon and eventually Estrada. Some decisions are going to have to be made when Matsui finishes his injury rehab assignment. Probably going to have to send down either Rodriguez or Hart, being the only players with options left.
The more offensive lineup depth overall is fun to watch and the bench is so much better than the past couple of seasons! A decision will have to be made once Song's injury rehab assignment ends. Can the team get by without defensive OF Bryce Johnson? I don't want to lose France's bat. Still waiting for the Core 4 to really start hitting (Tatis, Merrill, Machado & Boegarts). Lauereno has been much better than our previous LFers since Soto in 2023.
Any thoughts from my fellow faithful?
#42 · April 14, 2026, 6:34 am
Confident that the core 4 will produce better as the season progresses. Confident that the relief core will remain elite (no matter the combo of arms ... as long as Miller stays healthy).
For me, the season will pivot on SP. Jury is out on the season long effectiveness of Buehler, Marquez, Canning, Waldron, Sears ... all expected bottom of the rotation arms for 2 of the 5 starting roles. Think their performance will sort out the survivors. Biggest concern is the top of the rotation ... concerned that Musgrove is not returning (or at least not effectively after 1 1/2 years of not pitching) and Pivetta may be out an extended period considering it is an elbow and similar to his ST injury and his injury years back while in Boston.
Without Pivetta still think the team has the staying power to be a playoff contender (beating a lot of the lesser teams) but have more difficulty vs the elite teams and in a short playoff series.
In regards to Song probably will get optioned and be the prime offensive call-up. Do expect someone to get injured (just don't know who and when) requiring a call-up. Also, France and Castellanos still have to really produce ... if either one just tanks or maybe if one plays so well that he earns major playing time making the limited versatility of the other a liability ... and Song is producing in EP ... will see the call-up. Giving Song experience at SS (maybe OF) while getting AB will just make him a more valuable add ... later.
Historically, don't like to make evaluations until one month is in the books.
#43 · April 14, 2026, 9:10 am
I haven't seen anything physically wrong with Morejon even though he has been significantly off form from last year. He does have increased velocity, maybe even up to 3 mph, and I think that new "toy" is something he has yet to figure out, however, once he does that he should be okay for the rest of the year.
I actually like the fact that we're sitting Estrada as a precautionary measure this early in the season. For the Padres, he's been equally tough against RH and LH batters and a very dependable high leverage arm. With the uncertainty from the left side beyond Morejon, he sometimes is the better option against lefties than either Peralta and Matsui, particularly if you need a strikeout. Let Estrada rest his arm for a several more weeks and then we can deal with what to do with our lefties - if not optioning Rodriguez or a trade, then maybe arm fatigue from Peralta or transferring Matsui to the 60 day IL. ETA of Estrada maybe late May or early June. Our bullpen is what makes the Padres so dangerous to others teams wanting to fight for the playoffs.
#44 · April 14, 2026, 10:18 am
Smiling just thinking how good this Bullpen is and that we still have guys like Garrett Hawkins in the Minors.
🙂
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#45 · April 14, 2026, 2:58 pm
Waldron will start for the Padres on Friday.
Don't know the roster offsetting move but that was Marquez' scheduled start.
So, maybe Pivetta to IL ... giving Marquez an extra day ... keeping Waldron closer to his last start in EP (Apr 9th)?
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#46 · April 14, 2026, 3:27 pm
Quote from fenn68 on April 14, 2026, 2:58 pmWaldron will start for the Padres on Friday.
Don't know the roster offsetting move but that was Marquez' scheduled start.
So, maybe Pivetta to IL ... giving Marquez an extra day ... keeping Waldron closer to his last start in EP (Apr 9th)?
Pivetta to IL ... Jacob called up to boost the pen ... until they activate Waldron for the start on Friday then (likely) Jacob optioned.
#47 · April 14, 2026, 3:55 pm
With the rotation razor thin right now I’ve changed my mind about trading from our depth of relievers.
#48 · April 14, 2026, 4:29 pm
Quote from MrPadre19 on April 14, 2026, 3:55 pmWith the rotation razor thin right now I’ve changed my mind about trading from our depth of relievers.
Doubt ... at this point of the year ... can get a "quality" SP (better than what they have) for a RP. If not "quality" ... not worth just getting a body.
I note the pure "speculation" that the Padres (along with the Cubs) are "interested" in Giolito ... but he likely is not going to be ready until late May.
#49 · April 14, 2026, 6:03 pm
Concur with Fenn for two reasons: (1) if looking for a quality SP (likely can get a minor league pitcher who has the potential to be a #3 SP at the most), haven't seen enough of them in the minor leagues and teams still don't know how really bad their bullpens are in both the short and long run and (2) Padres have to get through some injuries and tweaks with what they have to really be in the best position to leverage #1 reason.
Giolito likely won't provide a return for the money he's asking - too many question marks. Let's keep working with what we have and hope Pivetta (and even Musgrove) can return with the next month or two.
#50 · April 15, 2026, 7:46 am
Putting 2+2 together to get 5 after reading a blurb on MLBTR and SD's renewed interest in Giolito, I am saying that Pivetta is going to be out for awhile. I read they have sent Pivetta for imaging and are awaiting the results. They have put him on the IL, and have recalled RP Alex Jakob.
I dont think this is going to turn out good for SD.