Matt

Waldron

Waldron is considered week-to-week, but this procedure will make it far less likely that he can make the starting rotation out of spring training. However, Waldron has zero minor league options, which means he either needs to make the team out of camp or land on the injured list, or else the Padres have to designate him for assignment.

94 isn’t remarkable for most major league pitchers, but Waldron has averaged 90 mph the last two years. Today, he was at 93 mph. The part-time knuckleballer entered camp as something of an afterthought after mostly struggling in Triple-A last year, but there’s still plenty to be decided in the San Diego rotation.

That’s now back-to-back strong outings for Waldron since being sent back down to Triple-A at the beginning of the month. He walked three and struck out three on the day, so it wasn’t dominant, but we saw last season how impactful the 28-year-old can be when his knuckleball is dancing, so it might make sense for the Padres to give him another shot.

He allowed just four hits and one walk while striking out eight. The 28-year-old was given only one start with the Padres after coming off the IL with an oblique strain. His command was shaky in that one start, but that can happen with a knuckleballer. He deserves another shot.

Waldron struggled during Monday’s start with six walks, and the Padres are calling up intriguing relief prospect Eduarniel Nuñez to take his place on the roster. It’s possible Waldron could be back making starts this summer, but he’s going to have to show much-improved command for that to take place.

Acee adds that Nuñez will receive his first call-up to the big leagues with Matt Waldron being optioned back to the minors after walking six batters during Monday’s start. The 26-year-old reliever has posted a serviceable 2.70 ERA and 49/14 K/BB ratio across 30 innings (25 relief appearances) this season in the upper minors.

Waldron struggled to find the zone in his season debut, handing out a career-high six walks and only recording three strikeouts. He gave up six hits, including a solo homer to Nick Castellanos, and also uncorked three wild pitches. He’s in line to take the ball on Sunday against the Rangers, unless the Padres decided they saw enough in this outing to change their minds.

He’s facing the Phillies tonight. It’ll be the season debut for Waldron, who missed the first two months with an oblique strain. He had a 5.04 ERA and a 31/11 K/BB over 30 1/3 innings in eight minor league starts. Waldron threw 146 2/3 innings for the Padres last season and had a 4.91 ERA.

Waldron will be making his season debut on Monday after spending the last few weeks at Triple-A El Paso after wrapping up a rehab assignment. The 28-year-old knuckleballer hit the shelf at the end of spring training with an oblique strain. There’s some streaming appeal here in deeper fantasy formats based on his track record in the big leagues, but he’s not a definite must-start option for fantasy managers. We’re recommending a wait-and-see approach for now.

The knuckleballer also struck out four and walked three on the day. He was up to 87 pitches on the day and figures to be inching closer to his return to the Padres’ rotation. That would mean Ryan Bergert or Stephen Kolek will be removed from the rotation soon.