Nick Pivetta returned to the mound for the San Diego Padres after he missed time with what was described as arm fatigue. Pivetta completed three innings and threw 56 pitches, allowing two runs on two hits with two walks and four strikeouts to lead the Padres to an 8-5 win over the Cleveland Guardians at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Ariz. on Saturday. Miguel Andujar and Freddy Fermin both homered in the game with Andujar hitting a grand slam for his third home run of the spring. Fermin continued
his hot spring finishing with two hits in the game including his home run. Xander Bogaerts made his first start since returning from the World Baseball Classic and he added two hits as well.
Marco Gonzales led a group of Padres into the contest with the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Ariz. as Saturday was a split squad day with a home game and road game taking place with start times differing by five minutes. Things did not go so well for Gonzales and the Padres who faced the Rangers and the day ended with San Diego losing to Texas, 22-2. The Padres allowed five runs through the first two innings and an abysmal 13 runs in the third inning, alone. Gonzales completed two innings and allowed 11 runs, 10 of which were earned on eight hits with six walks and one strikeout. As bad as that was, reliever Logan Gillaspie had a different struggle. He could not keep the ball in the yard, allowing five home runs. He finished 2.2 innings and allowed nine runs on 11 hits with three walks and one strikeout. The lone bright spot for San Diego in the game was a two-run home run by Jase Bowen in the top of the third inning.
Padres News:
- The Padres Reacts Survey on Gaslamp Ball asked readers which of the candidates they thought would win the final spot in the starting rotation. The overwhelming majority of respondents said they believe Walker Buehler will win the job.
- Jackson Merrill had a difficult sophomore season, but it had more to do with health than regression. Merrill fought through multiple ailments and missed significant time for various injuries sustained throughout the year. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball believes a healthy Merrill could have a big season and help the Padres return to the playoffs in 2026.
- AJ Cassavell of Padres.com says that with his performance against the Guardians on Saturday, Pivetta is back on track, and his arm fatigue issues appear to be behind him.
- With news about the possibility of Joe Musgrove missing time to start the season the Padres may have to fill more than one hole in the rotation. But even with a healthy Musgrove, San Diego may have to get creative to fill the No. 5 starter position.
Baseball News:
- Randy Arozarena returned to the Seattle Mariners after he and Team Mexico were eliminated from the WBC. Arozarena and teammate Cal Raleigh, who plays for the US, had a now infamous interaction at home plate where Raliegh refused to shake Arozarena’s hand. Now back with the MLB club, Arozarena is ready to move on.
- Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Chris Devenski, who was struck in the head by a line drive on Friday, is back home and resting.
- Logan Webb was announced as the Opening Day starter,
WBC News:
- Venezuela knocked off the defending WBC champion Japan and advances to the semi-final to take on Italy who beat Puerto Rico to earn their spot in the semi-final game.
- Paul Skenes will make his return to the WBC to help the US try to get past a dominant Dominican Republic lineup in their semi-final matchup tonight. Whichever team wins will advance to the final to face Italy or Venezuela.
