Griffin

Canning

As expected, Canning will make his Padres’ debut on Sunday against the White Sox. He only threw 15 innings over five minor league rehab starts at Triple-A El Paso, so it’s possible that his workload could be limited initially upon his return. German Marquez (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move on Sunday.

Randy Vasquez, who had been scheduled to start on Sunday, will get pushed back to Monday. That also means that Matt Waldron will get bumped from the Padres’ rotation entirely. Canning, 29, has been working his way back from last year’s Achilles injury. He posted a 3.60 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and an 18/12 K/BB ratio over 15 innings in five minor league rehab starts at Triple-A El Paso.

The Padres have a decision to make since Canning’s 30-day rehab assignment window is up at the end of the weekend. The 29-year-old, who is working his way back from last year’s Achilles injury, completed five innings during his fifth rehab outing earlier this week at Triple-A El Paso. It’s unclear whether he would be pitching in relief initially or jump into San Diego’s rotation mix. There should be some clarity on his status and role at some point before the weekend wraps up.

It’ll be Griffin’s first rehab outing since suffering an Achilles tear last June while pitching for the Mets. The 29-year-old figures to be an option for the back-end of San Diego’s rotation mix at some point in May or June. He would likely represent an upgrade over cromulent veterans Walker Buehler and Germán Márquez for the Padres.

Canning might be an option for San Diego’s pitching staff at some point in May or June as he continues to work his way back from last year’s Achilles tear. The 29-year-old is a worthwhile stash candidate in extremely deep mixed leagues and NL-only formats once he starts a minor league rehab assignment.

It pushes back the expected timeline back a little from our last update, where AJ Cassavell noted that Canning was expected to start the year on IL but “might not be there very long.” Canning is still working on getting his change-of-direction back so he can field the position well, but is full-go when pitching.

Canning “might not be there very long,” per Cassavell, but he is not currently part of that race. NL-only leaguers take notice — if you draft Canning you’re going to have to have an IL spot to stash him early. Canning pitched well for the Mets before tearing his Achilles in June. He’ll likely bump one of the lower-level Padres starters from the rotation once he’s ready to return.

The deal also includes a mutual option for the 2028 season. The financial terms of the deal have still yet to be disclosed. Canning registered a 3.77 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 70/35 K/BB ratio across 76 1/3 innings with the Mets during the 2025 campaign. He should secure a spot at the end of the Padres’ rotation.

Canning got off to an impressive start for the Mets last season, pitching to a 3.77 ERA in 76 1/3 innings before rupturing his Achilles in June. The 29-year-old has a 4.65 ERA in 584 1/3 career MLB innings, but perhaps his new approach from last year, leaning on his slider more, can lead to continued success. He has a chance to earn a spot in the Padres rotation if he’s healthy.

Canning pitched well for the Mets last season, leaning on his slider more and turning away from his fastballs. He registered a 3.77 ERA in 76 1/3 innings before suffering a ruptured Achilles in June. His free agent market will be impacted by how his recovery is progressing, but he would be a solid veteran arm for a White Sox team that needs to buy some time before pitching prospects like Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz are ready for big league innings.