Padres’ Fifth Starter Battle Takes a Hit as Matt Waldron Suffers Injury
The San Diego Padres’ quest to solidify their starting rotation took an unexpected setback Friday night when right-hander Matt Waldron sustained a mild left oblique strain while warming up in the bullpen. The injury, initially reported by AJ Cassavell on X (formerly Twitter), raises concerns about Waldron’s availability for the beginning of the season.
“Matt Waldron, who was scheduled to pitch tonight and began warming up in the bullpen, did not enter the game,” Cassavell wrote. “Instead, he was checked on by a team trainer and later walked back to the complex with them. The Padres confirmed Waldron suffered a mild left oblique strain and will be re-evaluated tomorrow.”
Waldron’s Opening Day Status in Doubt
Padres manager Mike Shildt acknowledged that oblique injuries typically require significant recovery time, casting doubt on Waldron’s readiness for Opening Day. “Obliques take a while,” Shildt said. “We’ll reassess, but he’s going to need some time off, and we’ll determine the exact timeline soon.”
Who Steps Up as the Padres’ Fifth Starter?
Waldron had been in a tight competition for the final rotation spot alongside Kyle Hart, Stephen Kolek, and Randy Vásquez. Although his most recent outing against the Giants was rocky, the 27-year-old had impressed this spring, particularly with his signature knuckleball. In the 2024 season, he posted a 4.91 ERA over 26 starts, recording 133 strikeouts and issuing just 40 walks in 146.2 innings.
With Waldron now sidelined, the battle for the No. 5 spot narrows. Vásquez has emerged as a strong contender, delivering five scoreless innings in a recent intrasquad game against Mariners minor leaguers. Kolek and Hart remain in the mix as well, though Hart’s availability has been hampered by a recent illness.
Hart, who excelled in the KBO last season with a 2.69 ERA and 182 strikeouts over 157 innings, had been scheduled to start Wednesday. However, his flu recovery might delay his readiness, potentially shifting him into a bullpen role to start the season. According to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres are intrigued by Hart’s potential but need more opportunities to evaluate him.
Meanwhile, Kolek struggled last season before an injury cut his year short, finishing with a 5.21 ERA over 46.2 innings. Vásquez, who started 20 games in 2024 and posted a 4.87 ERA over 98 innings, presents a more experienced option if the Padres prioritize reliability.
Padres Face Tough Decision as Opening Day Approaches
With just weeks until the start of the 2025 season, the Padres’ rotation remains one of their biggest uncertainties and Waldron’s injury only complicates matters. As Shildt and his staff assess their options, the decision between Vásquez, Kolek, or a recovering Hart could shape the team’s early-season success. One thing is certain: the competition for that final rotation spot just got even more intense.
