Overview
- King struck out four and allowed two hits over 2 2/3 innings in his first spring appearance, throwing 37 pitches with increased sinker velocity.
- Manager Craig Stammen let King work a third inning after a strong start and noted the right-hander’s stated goal of reaching 200 innings this season.
- San Diego re-signed King in December on a three-year, $75 million contract with opt-outs, counting on him to anchor the staff after an injury-limited 2025.
- Rotation depth has been hit by Yu Darvish’s season-ending surgery and the offseason departure of Dylan Cease, elevating King’s importance for 2026.
- Matt Waldron was recently shut down following hemorrhoid surgery and is considered week to week, complicating back-end rotation competition.