Padres' Matt Waldron: Allows three runs in no-decision
Rotowire
Waldron did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Cubs, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out one over five innings.
Waldron labored early, throwing 41 pitches over the first two innings and allowing five baserunners, though he limited the damage to one run on an RBI single from Miguel Amaya. The right-hander later gave up a two-run homer to Pete Crow-Armstrong in the fourth but overall turned in a more stable outing compared to his first two starts, in which he allowed six earned runs in each. While it was a step forward for the knuckleballer, his season numbers remain inflated, as he now holds a 9.88 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and an 8:5 K:BB across 13.2 innings. Waldron could be in line for a more favorable outing next time against a Giants lineup that has struggled to score runs this season.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Escapes with no-decision
Rotowire
Waldron took a no-decision Thursday against the Rockies, allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out three.
Facing a stiff assignment at Coors Field on Thursday, Waldron was unable to get the Rockies off balance with his knuckleball. The 29-year-old right-hander has now yielded six runs on eight hits in both of his starts to begin the season, and it's plausible that Lucas Giolito will eventually take Waldron's spot in the rotation once he's up to speed after signing with the Padres on Wednesday. Waldron tentatively projects to next take the ball against the Cubs.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Drawing another start
Rotowire
Waldron is slated to start Thursday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field.
Shelved to begin the season while completing his recovery from hemorrhoid surgery, Waldron returned from the injured list last week following a dominant minor-league rehab stint during which he tossed 12 scoreless frames and posted a 12:1 K:BB over three starts for Triple-A El Paso. The right-hander stepped into the San Diego rotation but was unable to carry over his success from the minors, taking a loss Friday against the Angels while yielding six earned runs on eight hits and one walk over 3.2 innings. Though Waldron will be handed another start, he'll be difficult to rely upon for fantasy purposes while pitching in hitter-friendly Colorado.
Canning (Achilles) is scheduled to make his fourth rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A El Paso, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Through his first three starts with El Paso, Canning has compiled a 4.32 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 14:9 K:BB across 8.1 innings. After his 2025 season came to an early end in June due to a torn left Achilles tendon that required surgery, Canning hasn't reported any setbacks since starting his rehab assignment and could be on track to return from the injured list as soon as next week. He built up to 67 pitches in his most recent start, so if he can get further stretched out in Wednesday's outing while showing improved control, the Padres may feel comfortable activating him. Matt Waldron would likely be most at risk of losing his spot in the rotation once Canning is deemed ready to join San Diego.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Activated ahead of season debut
Rotowire
The Padres activated Waldron (lower body) from the 15-day injured list Friday.
Waldron is set to make his season debut Friday with a start on the road against the Angels. The knuckleballer got a late start to the season after having hemorrhoid surgery in late February, but he looked sharp in a rehab assignment at Triple-A El Paso, tossing 12 scoreless innings with a 12:1 K:BB. Waldron will have the opportunity to make additional starts for the Padres if he pitches well.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: On track to join rotation
Rotowire
The Padres are expected to activate Waldron (lower body) from the 15-day injured list and have him make a start during this weekend's series versus the Angels in Anaheim, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
After undergoing hemorrhoid surgery in late February, Waldron was eased along slowly in spring training and was placed on the injured list prior to Opening Day. He was cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment when Triple-A El Paso opened its season in late March, and he's looked sharp over the course of three starts with the affiliate, tossing 12 scoreless innings while allowing just seven hits and posting a 12:1 K:BB. Waldron has since rejoined the Padres and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, which likely puts him on track to start Friday's series opener. The right-hander will be joining the rotation as a replacement for Nick Pivetta (elbow) and should be in line for multiple turns with Pivetta facing an uncertain timeline for a return.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Faces hitters Thursday
Rotowire
Waldron (lower body) threw "about 25 pitches" in a live batting-practice session Thursday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
The session marked Waldron's first time throwing to live hitters since he underwent hemorrhoid surgery in late February. The knuckleballer said Thursday that he expects to throw a bullpen and then get into a Cactus League game in the next 5-to-6 days, but he also stated that he isn't going to be ready for Opening Day. That means Waldron will likely begin the campaign on the IL, though he could be ready to be activated around mid-April.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Throwing off mound this week
Rotowire
Waldron (lower body) is slated to throw off the mound this week, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Waldron underwent hemorrhoid surgery last week and is expected to begin the season on the injured list. The knuckleballer hopes to make at least one Cactus League appearance before camp breaks. Waldron is out of minor-league options, so once he's healthy he'll need to either go on the active roster or be exposed to waivers.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Week-to-week after procedure
Rotowire
Padres manager Craig Stammen said Tuesday that Waldron is "week-to-week" after undergoing hemorrhoid surgery, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Waldron is in competition for a spot in the Padres' rotation and threw two scoreless innings in his first Cactus League appearance. However, it's going to be difficult for the knuckleballer to earn one of those spots now. Waldron is coming off a rough 2025 season, as he was knocked around in his lone start for the Padres and posted a 6.67 ERA in 18 starts with Triple-A El Paso.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Headed to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Padres are expected to option Waldron to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Waldron will be the roster casualty necessary to make room for Eduarniel Nunez, who is set to be selected from El Paso on Wednesday. Waldron struggled mightily during his season debut Monday, during which he gave up four runs in 4.2 innings, and he's put up a 5.24 ERA and 1.54 WHIP through 22.1 frames in Triple-A.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Entering rotation Monday
Rotowire
The Padres will call up Waldron from Triple-A El Paso to start Monday's game in Philadelphia, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
After making 26 starts for the Padres in 2024, Waldron will be joining the Padres for the first time this season. He spent the early part of the season on the injured list while recovering from an oblique strain, but he's been making regular turns out of the Triple-A rotation since late May and owns a 5.24 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB in 22.1 innings with El Paso. While those numbers don't necessarily make the knuckleballer deserving of a promotion, the Padres were short on alternatives to fill the fifth spot in the rotation due to Ryan Bergert (forearm) recently joining Yu Darvish (elbow), Michael King (shoulder) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) on the injured list. Darvish is the closest of that quartet to returning from the IL, but since his timetable is still somewhat vague, Waldron could be needed to make multiple turns through the rotation before the All-Star break.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Activated, optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Padres activated Waldron (oblique) from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Waldron had been on the shelf throughout the 2025 campaign while recovering from a left oblique strain, but after completing a rehab assignment, he'll make regular turns out of the El Paso rotation. In his most recent outing for the Triple-A club Friday, Waldron struck out six over four innings but allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks. The knuckleballer spent most of 2024 in the San Diego rotation, turning in a 4.91 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 133:40 K:BB in 146.2 innings. He could be an option to return to the big-league rotation later on in 2025 if he can find some success with El Paso.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
Waldron (oblique) began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Thursday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Waldron suffered an oblique strain in mid-March but returned to the mound Thursday. He allowed one earned run on two hits and a walk while striking out three across 1.2 frames. Waldron threw a total of 38 pitches, so he'll likely need a few more appearances before being activated.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Moved to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Padres transferred Waldron (oblique) to the 60-day injured list Friday.
Waldron has been on the injured list all season due to a strained left oblique, and his move to the 60-day IL will ensure he remains out until at least late May. His roster spot will be filled by Tyler Wade, who was selected from Triple-A to replace the injured Jake Cronenworth (rib).
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Lands on IL
Rotowire
The Padres placed Waldron (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.
Waldron has yet to resume a throwing program since suffering a left oblique strain while warming up in the bullpen March 14. He'll require more than the minimum 15 days to heal from the injury, and with Yu Darvish (elbow) joining him on the shelf to begin the season, the Padres will have room in the rotation for both Kyle Hart and Randy Vasquez, who had been competing with Waldron for the No. 5 starter role.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Not yet throwing
Rotowire
Waldron (oblique) has yet to resume throwing, per MLB.com.
Waldron is dealing with a mild left oblique strain and is expected to begin the campaign on the injured list. He had been competing for the Padres' fifth-starter role this spring, though he struggled with an 8.68 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 7:7 K:BB over 9.1 Cactus League innings before getting hurt. With both Waldron and Yu Darvish (elbow) likely unavailable at the start of the season, Randy Vasquez, Stephen Kolek and Kyle Hart are battling to fill San Diego's two available rotation slots.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Diagnosed with oblique strain
Rotowire
Waldron suffered a mild left oblique strain while warming up in the bullpen Friday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Waldron's injury prevented him from pitching as scheduled against the Rangers. He'll be re-evaluated Saturday, at which point a return timeline may be established, but he's likely to be unavailable for Opening Day given the timing of the injury. The 28-year-old right-hander has had a tough time getting going this spring, surrendering 11 runs (nine earned) on nine hits and seven walks while striking out seven batters in 9.1 innings.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Intends to lean more on knuckleball
Rotowire
Waldron said Wednesday that he is planning to throw his knuckleball more frequently during the upcoming season, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
The knuckler was Waldron's most-used pitch last year, as he threw it 38.2 percent of the time, per Statcast. The right-hander registered a 27.5 percent whiff rate on the offering, and opponents had a .227 xBA against it, rendering it a relatively effective pitch, especially in comparison to his four-seamer (19.1 percent usage rate, 22.4 percent whiff rate, .247 xBA) and his sinker (14.3 percent usage rate, 6.7 percent whiff rate, .316 xBA). Waldron is battling for a spot at the back of San Diego's rotation, and how he -- and his knuckleball -- perform during Cactus League play could go a long way toward determining what his role will be at the start of the season.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
Waldron was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.
Waldron will serve as fresh arm capable of logging multiple innings of relief Sunday following starter Martin Perez. Waldron, who is known best for his knuckleball, logged a 4.79 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 130 strikeouts in 142.2 innings through 26 MLB starts this year.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Matt Waldron: Sent to minors
Rotowire
The Padres optioned Waldron to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.
Waldron has given up 22 earned runs across his last 14.1 innings spanning three starts, and now the Padres will try to get him back on track in the minors. It's unclear who will take over Waldron's spot in the rotation, though Randy Vasquez is on the same pitching schedule as Waldron and would be a natural fit to return from Triple-A to fill the opening.
