Overview
- San Diego closed April at 19–11 with a patchwork staff, and the current rotation features Michael King, Randy Vásquez, Walker Buehler, Germán Márquez, and Matt Waldron.
- Griffin Canning has reached five innings and 68 pitches in Triple-A rehab work, and multiple reports indicate he is tracking for activation in the coming days.
- Lucas Giolito struck out six over 4⅓ innings in his second Low-A start and reached 70 pitches, and his deal requires the Padres to recall him within 25 days of his April 22 assignment.
- The club cannot option any of the five active starters, while results have been mixed as Buehler carries a 5.40 ERA, Márquez alternates strong and rough outings, and Waldron struggles with a low strikeout rate.
- Team evaluators are weighing a six-man rotation or tandem starts that would trim the bullpen, with a recent option of David Morgan and a likely Yuki Matsui activation, and there is still no timetable for Joe Musgrove or Nick Pivetta.