John

Sears

Sears was awful in his first spring start — not that it counts/matters — but it was still nice to see a bounceback. The one blemish was a homer from Luke Raley. Sears is trying to earn one of the final rotation spots in the San Diego rotation, and outings like this won’t hurt a bit.

We’re not overly optimistic about Márquez’s chances of resembling an average MLB starter at this point, but the price is certainly right. He figures to have a good chance of overtaking Randy Vásquez or JP Sears for a spot in San Diego’s rotation, especially if Griffin Canning needs some IL time at the start of the year. Márquez went 3-16 with a 6.70 ERA for the Rockies last season in his first full year back from Tommy John. His velocity was down only about one mph from where he peaked at six years ago, but his secondary pitches just weren’t what they used to be.

No word yet on the financial terms of that deal, but Sears had been projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $3.5 million via arbitration. The 29-year-old southpaw posted an uninspiring 5.04 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and a 117/36 K/BB ratio over 135 2/3 innings between the Athletics and Padres in 2025.

Sears allowed seven hits, walked three and struck out four. After four months in which he went 7-9 with a 4.95 ERA as a member of the A’s rotation, Sears was used only sporadically in San Diego, going 2-2 with a 5.47 ERA in five starts. The Padres would probably need to pay $2 million-$3 million to keep him in arbitration, and time will tell if they think it’s worth it to hold on to him as a depth option or if they ship him elsewhere.

Sears draws the starting assignment for Sunday’s mostly meaningless regular-season finale against the Diamondbacks. There’s some definite streaming appeal here since Arizona has little to play for and the 29-year-old southpaw punched out eight batters over 4 1/3 innings his last time out against the Rockies.

Sears pitched decently in a losing effort against the Rockies on Friday night, but was only up for a spot start so he’ll head right back to Triple-A in exchange for a fresh bullpen arm. Bradgley Rodriguez was recalled from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move.

Let’s just say this is becoming more and more the Mason Miller trade. Sears was recalled Friday and struggled again, with the biggest blow being the three-run homer he allowed to Blaine Crim in the fourth. The 29-year-old southpaw also allowed a homer to Kyle Farmer in the same frame. The strikeouts are nice, but obviously these aren’t the results you’re looking for. It remains to be seen when/if Sears will make another start for San Diego.

As anticipated, Sears will slot into the Padres’ rotation on Friday night to give everyone else an extra day of rest. The 29-year-old left-hander has struggled in three starts with the club since coming over at the trade deadline, registering a 5.52 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and an 8/3 K/BB ratio across 14 2/3 frames.

Shildt wants to get everyone else in his rotation an extra day of rest, so they’ll slot Sears in at some point over the weekend. The 29-year-old southpaw has made just three starts with the Padres since coming over in a deadline deal from the Athletics, posting a 5.52 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and an 8/3 K/BB ratio over 14 2/3 innings of work.

The 29-year-old southpaw gave up four runs (three earned) over 3 2/3 innings against the Mariners on Monday. No word yet on who will be called upon to replace Sears in the Padres’ rotation on Sunday against the Orioles, though Randy Vasquez is always an option. Sears will continue to hone his craft at the Triple-A level for the time being.