Matt Waldron's return to the mound was a promising sight for Padres fans on Friday evening. The knuckleballer, fresh off a stint on the sidelines due to surgery, showed he’s still got the magic touch. In Triple-A El Paso's season-opener, Waldron struck out three batters over three dominant innings, helping secure a 9-3 victory against Sacramento.
Waldron was sharp, scattering just two hits and not issuing a single walk, with 25 of his 37 pitches finding the strike zone. This outing is crucial for Waldron as he starts a 30-day rehab assignment, aiming to rejoin the Padres' rotation, which is currently anchored by Walker Buehler and Germán Márquez. Both pitchers are set to make their Padres debuts soon, while Joe Musgrove and Griffin Canning remain on the injured list.
Last season, Waldron made a brief appearance with the Padres, posting a 4.86 ERA over 192⅔ innings. However, his 2024 campaign was a different story, as he delivered a stellar 2.76 ERA across 14 starts, playing a pivotal role in the Padres' playoff push.
On the offensive side, Sung-Mun Song made his presence felt, driving in two runs with a single while playing seven innings at second base. Jase Bowen also made a statement with a towering 440-foot homer, marking his first of the season. Meanwhile, Samad Taylor and Jose Miranda each contributed two hits to the offensive onslaught.
The pitching staff was rounded out by right-hander Sean Boyle, who allowed one run over three innings, and Alek Jacob, who closed the game with two scoreless innings. Logan Gillaspie faced some challenges, walking four and giving up two runs in just over an inning.
Overall, it was a night of solid performances and promising returns, setting the tone for what could be an exciting season for the Padres and their affiliates.