What is the story about?
San Diego Padres pitcher Michael King was dominant through the first two innings of his Spring Training debut. He made a mistake to start the top of the third inning, allowing a leadoff home run to Christian Moore, but he struck out two of the next three batters and finished 2.2 innings with one run allowed on two hits with four strikeouts. King is hoping the solid debut is a sign of good things to come, adding that he hopes to get back to the pitcher he was during the 2024 season. The Padres offense
took some time to get going but after taking the lead with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, San Diego never looked back en route to a 7-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
Padres News:
- Walker Buehler signed a minor league deal with the Padres and seeing him in brown and gold still seems strange, but he is a big-league pitcher with postseason and World Series experience who could be a benefit to the rotation. Gaslamp Ball asked its readers if they would be rooting for Buehler to make the team. Results of the poll will be revealed later in the week.
- According to a report from Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Sung-Mun Song appears to be completely healed from an oblique injury he sustained earlier in the offseason. With that being the case, he has to get to work quickly to adjust to pitching velocity in MLB. Manager Craig Stammen and hitting coach Steven Souza Jr. have a plan to get him where he needs to be and they believe he will get there. In the same article Acee mentions the Padres are receiving calls on their relievers. They have an abundance of bullpen arms and limited roster space, which could mean a trade occurs sometime before the end of Spring Training.
- Ethan Salas missed all but 10 games of the 2025 season due to a stress reaction in his lower back. Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune learned that although Salas could not learn through reps on the field last season, he learned by talking with a host of former catchers in the Padres system.
Baseball News:
- Harrison Bader of the San Francisco Giants hit a home run that left a dent in a food truck. He did the only thing a player can do in that situation – he signed it.
- Roki Sasaki is trying to win a spot in the rotation for the Los Angeles Dodgers and to do so, he is looking to expand his pitch mix.
- Former New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia will be honored by the team with his jersey being retired on Sept. 26.
- Chicago Cubs free agent addition Tyler Austin underwent knee surgery and will miss “month” according to manager Craig Counsell.
- New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor had the stitches removed from surgery on his left hand following surgery to repair a hamate injury and is on track to return by Opening Day.
- Outfielder Randal Grichuk and the Yankees agreed to a minor-league deal.
- According to a report by MLB Trade Rumors, Pittsburgh Pirates top prospect Konnor Griffin and the team are open to a contract extension.
- Arizona Diamondbacks Opening Day starter Merrill Kelly is dealing with discomfort in his back and it has yet to be determined what the cause is. He may not be ready for opening day according to MLB Trade Rumors.
- Max Scherzer and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a one-year deal.
