A Padres team that has been putting together its rotation through the season so far is on the verge of getting some much-needed starting pitching help. Lucas Giolito is expected to make his team debut this weekend, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Giolito, 31, went unsigned all winter and finally signed a one-year deal with the Friars last month. It consists of just a base salary of $3MM but an additional bonus worth $5MM. Giolito made four minor league appearances as he stepped up after missing spring training. Results have been a bit shaky, though early rust can be expected. He threw 17 innings with a 4.76 ERA, a 19.5% strikeout rate and a 7.8% walk rate. Giolito’s latest start was much better; he went six innings and allowed one run on three hits and no walks against the Athletics’ Double-A affiliate.
While Giolito’s start is a welcome development for the San Diego staff, it will also force the Padres to make a decision. The Friars’ pitching staff is not as flexible as the pitching arms. None of the five starters on the roster can be selected. Moving the starter ‘pen isn’t that easy, either. The only San Diego reliever with minor league options Mason Miller (Spoiler: he’s not going anywhere) Jeremiah Estrada again Bradley Rodriguez. Estrada missed some time with an elbow injury but has a 3.97 ERA in 11 1/3 innings since working. He has also been one of the team’s leading rebounders since 2024. Rodriguez has a sparkling 1.74 ERA in 20 2/3 frames.
A situation that might seem perfect Matt Waldron burst into the list. The 29-year-old opened the season on the injured list and has been hit hard since returning. In five games (three starts) he pitched 21 1/3 innings and allowed 22 runs (9.28 ERA) on 32 hits and seven walks. He struck out 18 of 103 opponents (17.5%) with strikes. Waldron has a better record, having pitched 188 innings with a below average but very likable 4.79 ERA in 2023-24.
The manager Craig Stammen called it “premature” to talk about a possible DFA for Waldron when asked by Acee. Waldron himself seemed to acknowledge the writing on the wall, however, telling the Union-Tribune: “I can safely say that my ERA and my numbers are not very attractive right now. And I don’t have a choice, so I mean, yeah, that’s where I’m going to leave it. I’m smart enough (to know).”
The Padres would certainly like to preserve as much depth as possible, and Waldron looked to be on his way to his first home run before last night’s six-run, 2 2/3-inning clunker. Between the start of April 29 and May 5, he threw 10 innings and held the Cubs and Giants to a combined four runs on eight hits and a walk with eight strikeouts.
That said, the Padres aren’t going away Griffin Canning after the first two. Walker BuehlerA 5.20 ERA isn’t great, but his average stats are strong enough to give him a very attractive 3.64 FIP and 4.05 SIERA. Michael King and exit well Randy Vásquez they are clearly confined in places. It frees itself Yuki Matsui, Wandy Peralta again Ron Marinaccio can’t be chosen but everything is well placed. There’s always the possibility of an injury that kicks the decision a bit, but as things stand, Waldron looks like the odd man out.
