Spring Training ended for the San Diego Padres on Monday with a win over the Seattle Mariners, giving them a 15-15 record over their spring schedule. While the starting rotation remains the biggest concern for the organization, no trades or signings took place after games began to address that concern.
The Friars will begin the season with a presumed five-man rotation of Nick Pivetta, Michael King, Randy Vasquez, Walker Buehler and Germán Márquez. Multiple questions remain regarding health and effectiveness
for this group. During the last days of spring, JP Sears joined Triston McKenzie and Marco Gonzales in the minors to work on their command. Matt Waldron, still needing to stretch out to starter length, will begin the season on the IL.
Roster injuries and transactions for the start of the season
Joe Musgrove, Bryan Hoeing and Griffin Canning will begin the year on the 15-day IL. Musgrove has not pitched in a game since March 4 and there have been no reports of pitching at all since March 8. He continues to work back from Tommy John surgery while Canning is working back from Achilles surgery. Jhony Brito is on the 60-day IL and Yu Darvish was added to the Restricted List.
Bullpen pitchers Yuki Matsui (groin strain) and Jason Adam (quad tendon rupture surgery) are working their way back and will begin on the IL. Matsui has worked on the back fields in Arizona but needs a rehab assignment. Adam pitched in two Cactus League games, throwing 22 pitches and faced six hitters without allowing a hit. He just needs to be tested further and have increased work to assure his leg will hold up. He can be backdated to March 22 and return as early as April 6.
Utility player Sung-Mun Song (oblique strain) had two plate appearances in the final game; he walked and struck out while playing second base. He will begin on the IL to get at-bats and also play shortstop. It remains to be seen if they keep him in the minors to get repetitions at shortstop and outfield so that he can be tested at the positions they originally hoped he could cover.
It should be noted that when Song is activated, Ty France cannot be sent to the minor leagues without clearing waivers. That would be unlikely, the Padres will have a difficult situation to deal with when Song is ready. None of their bench players have minor league options.
Márquez’s effectiveness
Germán Márquez had a difficult time with command to begin his time this spring. He gradually worked into a much better spot, flashing a 97 mph fastball and a dominant knuckle curve that he leaned on for outs. He finished with 16.1 innings pitched and 23 strikeouts, tops among Padres pitchers. His 7.16 ERA reflects his early struggles but his last two starts were big improvements. He and Randy Vasquez showed improved command and velocity this spring.
The bullpen rocks
Despite Matsui and Adam starting on the IL, the Padres bullpen looks formidable again this season. Featuring Mason Miller as the closer, the rest of the staff is solid despite the lack of two of their arms. Adrian Morejón, who quietly pushed his fastball velocity to 101 mph this spring, can ably sub for Adam as the setup man. They will carry both Ron Marinaccio and Kyle Hart as swing/bridge pitchers. Jeremiah Estrada, David Morgan, Wandy Peralta and Bradgley Rodriquez will be on the team until Matsui and Adam are activated. Marinaccio no longer has options and cannot be sent to the minors without clearing waivers.
Positional depth
With the roster fixed, the Padres depth this season is significantly improved from 2025. Gavin Sheets will be the starting first baseman against right-handed pitching. He surged at the end of spring with three home runs in four games and has played solid defense. Against left-handed pitching it looks like Nick Castellanos will get looks and Miquel Andujar can also work in. They both can DH and come off the bench. Both mash lefties and should give the Friars multiple options. France is a Gold Glove-winning first baseman and can be used for defensive relief as well as a solid bat.
Jake Cronenworth will be the backup shortstop. There isn’t anyone else on the roster to relieve Xander Bogaerts. France can back up Cronenworth. It seems that getting Song into multiple roles at the minor league level would be the best approach to add more depth. Mason McCoy is in the minors in case of injury. Will Wagner has an oblique strain and has missed most of the spring and will start the season on the 10-day IL.
Bryce Johnson has won the fourth outfield job. It makes sense, as he is a solid defender with speed and base running skills. His bat broke out last year and he has no options remaining, so they lose him if they don’t keep him on the roster. Outfielder Jase Bowen impressed mightily this spring and will undoubtedly be with the team when anything happens to an outfielder this season.
There isn’t another catcher on the 40-man roster so if Luis Campusano doesn’t rise up to the challenge placed in front of him, the Padres have two options in the minors that they can place on the roster. Blake Hunt, who is currently hurt, and Rodolfo Duran are more advanced than the other catchers available. It appears Campusano will get every opportunity early in the season to prove he belongs.
Spring Breakout first team
MLB named their Spring Breakout First Team players after all games were completed. Padres prospect Ethan Salas was named at catcher and outfielder Kale Fountain was honored as well. Both hit big homers in the Padres’ losing effort, and Salas put on a show in making his return to the field. Fountain is making the switch from infield to outfield now that he has completed the rehab from Tommy John surgery. Both will be watched for breakouts in their careers during this season.
Minor signs
The Padres signed RHP Jose Leclerq to a minor league contract. He missed all of 2025 due to a lat strain. The 32-year-old had late inning stuff in his past and will start his attempt to return to form in the minors.
RHP Julio Dilone was also signed to a minor league contract. The 25-year-old Dominican will return to the minor leagues after spending last season in the Atlantic League. He was previously in the Seattle Mariners and Miami Marlins organizations but not above Single-A.
