Quote from ultratvfan on August 16, 2024, 8:24 pm

Dodgers win and Padres lose. Padres drop back to 3 games back.

Quote from Alex Tamayo on August 16, 2024, 8:26 pm

Nothing like playing the Rockies to send you back to reality, f...

Quote from Jeremy Hill on August 16, 2024, 11:02 pm

I am getting semi concerned with Waldron's struggles. It seems like it always takes him an inning or 2 to settle in and lately our opponents have been doing a lot more damage off of him before he figures it out. Hopefully he can work with Niebla to figure something out to help him get locked in earlier.

A loss to a bad team is always going to hurt. With how well we've been playing it's not nearly as frustrating as it was earlier in the season. Bad games are going to happen at Coors. We won the next 2 after dropping the first at Petco. Let's see if they can do the same here.

Quote from fenn68 on August 16, 2024, 11:46 pm

If Darvish does come back this season ... Waldron is close to being on the bubble and getting moved out of the starting 5. Down the stretch or in the Playoffs ... can't afford to fall behind in the 1st / 2nd when the opponent is lining up is best arms to close down those game.

Cease - King - Musgrove - Perez (1.98 ERA in his 3 Strats) are currently doing better than Waldron. Even Vasquez in this last 4 starts netted a 4.83 ERA.

Waldron pre All-Star had an ERA of 3.71 ... now post of 6.25 (6 starts). For the season his 1st inning ERA is 9.00, 2nd inning at 4.68 ... then relatively smooth sailing. Maybe Niebla can get him on track ... but think they may need to be setting ups "Plan B" for the stretch run. Probably not a factor in the Playoffs with the keys being Cease, King, Musgrove and "it depends" for the 4th starter if needed ... 5 starter not necessary normally.

Quote from ultratvfan on August 16, 2024, 11:52 pm

I am eagerly awaiting Darvish's return. The team really needs him. I am sure when he does, Waldron will be optioned as the corresponding move.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on August 17, 2024, 7:03 am

I'm not sure if we can really count on Darvish to return at this point. I saw reports that put it at 50/50. He's running out of time. He's reportedly working out and throwing on his own. I would think he'll need at least a couple of weeks to get stretched out. You probably want him to make a start or 2 in the minors. He'll need to ramp it up soon if he's going to do it.

Quote from fenn68 on August 17, 2024, 7:36 am

Not really optimistic about his 2024 return but if he chooses to … Darvish is “different” and would expect his conditioning routine in Japan may be more extensive than most maybe even working with one of the Japanese teams, so maybe not a long ramp up time.

Keep in mind this is not an injury recovery … just conditioning for a top tier veteran.

Still and 1-2-3 of Cease - King - Musgrove should be strong for Playoff series and the use of Perez as needed for #4 may work. Then stock the staff with the best RP options.

Quote from fenn68 on August 17, 2024, 7:47 am

Also concerned about the return of Tatis … even with optimistic reports that have been going for some time still appears weeks away (if at all).

I guess if the Padres believe they are in a strong spot to make the Playoffs (and have been playing hot over the past month) no need to push the time line for Tatis just to insure full recovery.

Sept 1 teams can add one pitcher and one position player … so that may be a convenient target date without disrupting the team roster.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on August 17, 2024, 9:25 am

Quote from fenn68 on August 17, 2024, 7:36 am

Not really optimistic about his 2024 return but if he chooses to … Darvish is “different” and would expect his conditioning routine in Japan may be more extensive than most maybe even working with one of the Japanese teams, so maybe not a long ramp up time.

Keep in mind this is not an injury recovery … just conditioning for a top tier veteran.

Still and 1-2-3 of Cease - King - Musgrove should be strong for Playoff series and the use of Perez as needed for #4 may work. Then stock the staff with the best RP options.

Last I saw he was back in the states. Dennis Lin said he threw a bullpen at a local highschool last Sunday. That's the only actual baseball related update I've seen since he went on the restricted list. It's also worth noting that while it seemed like he was close to a return he was on the IL when he went on the restricted list. I'm sure he's done some work while he's been away. I wouldn't want to assume the extent of it. As an older guy who has become more prone to nagging injuries and who follows a meticulous routine I would think you would want to give him as much time as possible to build back. Remember he struggled after his routine got changed up by the WBC.