The Padres are entering the 2026 season with some lingering questions about their starting rotation, a situation that's been brewing since the offseason began.
With Nick Pivetta secured under contract and Michael King re-signed, these two pitchers are the only sure bets in a sea of uncertainty. The team is also eagerly anticipating the return of Joe Musgrove, who spent all of 2025 on the sidelines recovering from Tommy John Surgery.
Rounding out the rotation, Randy Vasquez and JP Sears are expected to fill the fourth and fifth spots. However, there's still a cloud of doubt about how this group will perform once the regular season kicks off. With Musgrove's injury history and overall unpredictability, Padres manager Craig Stammen has hinted at some innovative strategies for 2026.
Stammen's comments suggest the Padres might be considering an unconventional rotation strategy. “Everything is on the table,” he mentioned. “We want to do what’s best for them and what’s best for the team, and how we marry those two things is yet to be determined.”
This could imply the use of an opener for some games, particularly for Musgrove, to manage his innings and ease him back into the fold after his elbow surgery. It's a cautious approach, especially given the severity of his previous injury.
Michael King, while also coming off an injury-plagued season, didn't face challenges as severe as Musgrove's. He was sidelined by a thoracic nerve issue from May to August, limiting him to just 73.1 innings.
The Padres' depth is a concern this season, making it crucial to keep their key starters healthy throughout 2026. Any significant injuries could derail their campaign quickly.
Without any major pitching prospects ready to step up, the Padres seem to be leaning towards a strategy that acknowledges their current limitations.
As spring training games commence, all eyes will be on whether the Padres can unearth any pitching talent capable of making an impact on the big-league roster.