Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2026, 11:22 am

8 games in ... 31 pitchers saw action (some in 3 games) ... yet no Buehler or Marquez.

Injured or is there some Padres strategy of slow walking these guys on the back fields? Also, where is Morejon?

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2026, 12:39 pm

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2026, 11:22 am

8 games in ... 31 pitchers saw action (some in 3 games) ... yet no Buehler or Marquez.

Injured or is there some Padres strategy of slow walking these guys on the back fields? Also, where is Morejon?

Update: Buehler scheduled to pitch on a back field against a Korean team today ... hopefully we hear results.

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2026, 1:04 pm

Sears had a good 3 innings (1 run on a HR) but what was interesting was that he historically been an extreme fly ball pitcher but today he had them hitting a lot of ground balls.

Has Niebla worked with him on his approach to create this change ... albeit in one small sample size?

Quote from fenn68 on March 1, 2026, 10:00 am

Wonder if there is some league wide shift in thinking / strategy ... hearing a number of teams considering a 6 man rotation out of ST. At the same time teams are searching for more "good" SP. Does not seem a match.

Does seem as though the Padres are giving the 6 man rotation (to start the season) serious consideration but at the same time trying to find "good" options for #5 SP and having to deal with an deep elite RP corps that would have to be reduced to carry a 6th SP and in turn running the risk of burning out arms early in the season when SP tend not to go deep into games. Plus a number of off days in April could work against a 6 man with starters going only once a week.

As it stands:

King, Pivetta, and Musgrove are #1-3 (assuming health) ... then Vasquez is likely #4 given how he appears in his two ST appearances building off a solid 2025. Then how to handicap the contenders for #5 ... and maybe #6.

1. Sears ... healthy career making all his starts but below average results ... poor 1st ST start but good in 2nd in ST. Historically an extreme FB pitcher who in his 2nd start was producing ground balls ... Niebla effect? I think #5 is his to lose ... but someone has to step up.
2. Buehler (non-roster) ... only worked on the back lots in ST. Looking at his 2025 (Bost/Phil) he had an "odd" season. His overall ERA was not impressive at 4.93 (126 innings) and a major difference between Home (3.68) vs Away (6.12). Then 3 very good months (Apr, Jul, Sep ... ERA under 3.70) and 3 very bad months (May, Jun, Aug ... ERA over 4 with June at 11.07). Apparently can be effective even with his reduced velocity ... can he convince the Padres during ST that he is more like the Home Buehler than the Away Buehler.
3. Marquez (roster) ... another only on the back lots in ST. The "pre-covid" Marquez was excellent but since 2020 not so much (some injury effect). Easy to say his bad stats are COORS driven but over the years he actually had seasons where his Home was better than his Away. 2025 was not good anywhere. Seems like a long shot.
4. McKenzie (non-roster) ... has not pitched will for years and has not pitched well in ST game ... likely AAA (or released).
5. **** Canning and Waldron are injured and may start the season on the IL likely taking them out of the #5 for opening day. Not sure how the Padres deal with the IL rehab and what happens when they come off the IL ... Waldron out of options and not sure if they have any flexibility with Canning. P.S. Canning was my top candidate to bump Sears if he were healthy.

I suspect none of Buehler, Marquez, or Canning can be tucked in AAA if needed later (unless they agree) .. Waldron "probably" would clear waivers and resign but no guarantee. However, Sears has a minor league option and can be an in-season call up for injuries (King / Musgrove) or poor performance from whomever is #5 (Buehler?).

That mix does not suggest bumping a quality RP for a 6th SP.

 

Quote from fenn68 on March 1, 2026, 10:07 am

Marquez starting today vs SF.

Quote from fenn68 on March 1, 2026, 1:40 pm

Padres Shut Bryan Hoeing Down With Elbow Discomfort

BY NICK DEEDS | AT MARCH 1, 2026 3:32PM CDT

Padres right-hander Bryan Hoeing is likely to miss the start of the season, according to a report from Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Per Acee, Hoeing is dealing with some discomfort in his throwing elbow and has been shut down by San Diego as a result. Acee added that pitching coach Ruben Niebla expressed some early optimism about the severity of the injury.

“We don’t think it’s as serious (as it could be), but we have to be conscious and take a look at it and be able to make the right assessments,” Niebla told reporters, as relayed by Acee.

Quote from fenn68 on March 2, 2026, 7:45 am

 

Padres’ Blake Hunt Shut Down Due To Oblique Injury

BY NICK DEEDS | AT MARCH 2, 2026 9:39AM CDT

The Padres recently shut down catcher Blake Hunt due to an oblique injury, as reported by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Hunt’s exact timeline for return to action isn’t currently known, but he figures to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

 

Quote from fenn68 on March 2, 2026, 8:45 am

Quote from fenn68 on March 2, 2026, 7:45 am

 

Padres’ Blake Hunt Shut Down Due To Oblique Injury

BY NICK DEEDS | AT MARCH 2, 2026 9:39AM CDT

The Padres recently shut down catcher Blake Hunt due to an oblique injury, as reported by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Hunt’s exact timeline for return to action isn’t currently known, but he figures to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

 

I would expect Preller to sign some team's cast off catcher to a minor league deal for AAA ... just insurance. If Hunt is out an extended time ... probably want more experience in AAA than Duran and Villar. Outside chance they sign (to a minor league deal with opt out) one of the two FA remaining ... Tom Murphy or Christian Vasquez (both 35) I expect Salas in AA (so he can show his bat has developed) before jumping him up.

If Fermin or Campusano get an "extensive" injury ... a playoff contender Padres will opt for some level of veteran experience in such a critical role.

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 2, 2026, 9:58 am

Quote from fenn68 on March 1, 2026, 10:00 am

Wonder if there is some league wide shift in thinking / strategy ... hearing a number of teams considering a 6 man rotation out of ST. At the same time teams are searching for more "good" SP. Does not seem a match.

Does seem as though the Padres are giving the 6 man rotation (to start the season) serious consideration but at the same time trying to find "good" options for #5 SP and having to deal with an deep elite RP corps that would have to be reduced to carry a 6th SP and in turn running the risk of burning out arms early in the season when SP tend not to go deep into games. Plus a number of off days in April could work against a 6 man with starters going only once a week.

As it stands:

King, Pivetta, and Musgrove are #1-3 (assuming health) ... then Vasquez is likely #4 given how he appears in his two ST appearances building off a solid 2025. Then how to handicap the contenders for #5 ... and maybe #6.

1. Sears ... healthy career making all his starts but below average results ... poor 1st ST start but good in 2nd in ST. Historically an extreme FB pitcher who in his 2nd start was producing ground balls ... Niebla effect? I think #5 is his to lose ... but someone has to step up.
2. Buehler (non-roster) ... only worked on the back lots in ST. Looking at his 2025 (Bost/Phil) he had an "odd" season. His overall ERA was not impressive at 4.93 (126 innings) and a major difference between Home (3.68) vs Away (6.12). Then 3 very good months (Apr, Jul, Sep ... ERA under 3.70) and 3 very bad months (May, Jun, Aug ... ERA over 4 with June at 11.07). Apparently can be effective even with his reduced velocity ... can he convince the Padres during ST that he is more like the Home Buehler than the Away Buehler.
3. Marquez (roster) ... another only on the back lots in ST. The "pre-covid" Marquez was excellent but since 2020 not so much (some injury effect). Easy to say his bad stats are COORS driven but over the years he actually had seasons where his Home was better than his Away. 2025 was not good anywhere. Seems like a long shot.
4. McKenzie (non-roster) ... has not pitched will for years and has not pitched well in ST game ... likely AAA (or released).
5. **** Canning and Waldron are injured and may start the season on the IL likely taking them out of the #5 for opening day. Not sure how the Padres deal with the IL rehab and what happens when they come off the IL ... Waldron out of options and not sure if they have any flexibility with Canning. P.S. Canning was my top candidate to bump Sears if he were healthy.

I suspect none of Buehler, Marquez, or Canning can be tucked in AAA if needed later (unless they agree) .. Waldron "probably" would clear waivers and resign but no guarantee. However, Sears has a minor league option and can be an in-season call up for injuries (King / Musgrove) or poor performance from whomever is #5 (Buehler?).

That mix does not suggest bumping a quality RP for a 6th SP.

 

Giolito and Littell still out there

Also still possibility of trading a couple BP arms