The players in competition for the final spot in the rotation are not going to make the decision easy on the San Diego Padres front office and manager Craig Stammen. German Marquez started the game against the Chicago Cubs for the Padres, who won the game 3-0, and he completed three innings without allowing a run. Marquez did allow two hits, but that was it. He also finished with three strikeouts. Marco Gonzales followed Marquez with three scoreless innings of his own. Gonzales allowed three hits and a walk,
but he recorded five strikeouts. Both of these performances followed Walker Buehler the day before after he had a strong outing, and after the last two games all three pitchers along with JP Sears seem to have every intention of making things as difficult as possible for the San Diego decision makers.
Padres News:
- The 2026 Spring Breakout is coming in the near future and the Padres, despite their abysmal preseason minor league rankings, will have plays such as Kruz Schoolcraft and Ethan Salas competing. Schoolcraft and Salas join other highly outed prospects from around MLB in the third annual prospect showcase.
- Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Wandy Peralta all left the Peoria Sports Complex to join the Dominican Republic for the WBC. The Dominican Republic joins the US and Japan as the favorites to win the global competition and Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball believes this may be the year the D.R. finishes at the top.
- Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune provided notes surrounding multiple Padres players. He learned Sung-Mun Song is considered day-to-day with an oblique injury and Nick Pivetta is also being given time off due to arm fatigue. On a positive injury note, Acee reported reliver Jason Adam continues his progression and has a chance to be on the roster on Opening Day.
- Ramon Laureano came to the Padres at the 2025 trade deadline and part of the appeal for San Diego was the team option for 2026. Laureano solidified a position of need and if he can replicate what he did in the second half of last year he could have a career year.
WBC News:
- Aaron Judge homered in his first WBC at-bat and helped the US dominate Brazil. Byron Buxton was hit on the elbow and left the game, but reports after the game were he will be “fine.”
- Machado flashed some leather and Junior Caminero homered to lead the Dominican Republic over Nicaragua.
- Mexico knocked off Great Britain in the WBC opener for both teams.
- Edwin Diaz looked sharp in his return to the WBC in Puerto Rico’s win over Columbia.
- Venezuela knocked off Netherlands in the first WBC game for both teams.
Baseball News:
- Freddy Peralta has made it known that he is willing to sign an extension with the New York Mets and prefers it to be a long-term extension.
- The Texas Rangers signed Andrew McCutchen to a minor league deal.
