Too many arms… not enough spots.
And now, the Padres are facing a decision that could reshape their entire season.
What started as a weakness… is suddenly becoming a problem of abundance.
The San Diego Padres entered the 2026 season with serious concerns about their starting rotation. Injuries, inconsistency, and uncertainty surrounded the staff.
Now?
Everything has flipped.
And it’s creating a dilemma that could force a bold — and potentially controversial — decision.
With multiple pitchers returning from injury, the Padres are quickly running out of room.
Matt Waldron is leading the charge.
After undergoing surgery earlier this spring, the right-hander has looked sharp in his rehab appearances, delivering back-to-back shutout outings at Triple-A. Four scoreless innings with six strikeouts. Then three more clean frames.
That’s not just progress.
That’s pressure.
Because Waldron isn’t just coming back — he’s making a case.
A strong one.
And that’s where things get complicated.
San Diego’s current rotation already includes Nick Pivetta, Michael King, Randy Vásquez, Walker Buehler, and Germán Márquez. But with Joe Musgrove, Griffin Canning, and now Waldron all nearing returns, the Padres are about to have more viable starters than they can realistically use.
And someone has to go.
The spotlight is now shifting toward the back end of the rotation — specifically Buehler and Márquez.
Neither has impressed early.
Buehler allowed three earned runs in his debut. Márquez gave up four. Not disastrous — but far from reassuring, especially with competition heating up behind them.
The problem?
It’s not that simple.
Neither pitcher has minor league options.
Meaning if the Padres want to make room, they would have to designate one for assignment — essentially risking losing a veteran arm for nothing if another team claims them.
That’s not just a baseball decision.
That’s a gamble.
And it’s why the Padres are hesitating.
Because making a move this early in the season could backfire — especially if those same veterans bounce back in their next outings.
So what’s the alternative?
A six-man rotation.
It wasn’t part of the original plan — but now, it’s becoming a real possibility.
And it might solve more than one problem.
Adding a sixth starter would ease the workload on frontline arms like Pivetta and Michael King — both of whom dealt with health concerns recently. Extra rest could mean better performance, reduced injury risk, and more flexibility as the season progresses.
But even that solution comes with trade-offs.
More starters means fewer bullpen arms. More rotation spots means less consistency in roles. And in a long season, stability matters.
Pitching coach Ruben Niebla hinted at the uncertainty, emphasizing that the team is still evaluating and letting competition “play itself out.”
Translation?
Nothing is decided.
Yet.
There’s also a third option — and it’s the riskiest of all.
The Padres could attempt to send Waldron through waivers, hoping no other team claims him.
But given his current form?
That feels unlikely.
And losing a pitcher performing at that level for nothing would be a costly mistake.
Which brings the Padres back to the same question:
Who stays… and who goes?
Because what once looked like a thin rotation is now crowded with potential — and potential creates pressure.
The good news?
Nick Pivetta has already shown signs of stability, bouncing back with five shutout innings and eight strikeouts in his latest outing. If others follow suit, the decision becomes even harder.
The bad news?
There’s no easy answer.
Every option carries risk.
Every move carries consequences.
And as the Padres inch closer to full health, this “good problem” is turning into a defining moment.
Because sometimes, the hardest decisions aren’t about fixing weakness…
They’re about choosing between strengths.
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