Waldron (1-2) took the loss against Milwaukee on Tuesday, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 2.2 innings.
Bradgley Rodriguez opened the game for San Diego and tossed a scoreless inning. Waldron entered in the second frame and did fine, but he gave up a run in the third. Things got much worse for the knuckleballer in the fourth, as the Brewers tagged him for five runs on eight hits and a walk before he exited with two outs. Waldron's season ERA ballooned to 9.28 as a result of the poor outing. He may not remain in the team's rotation plans for long -- either as a starter or in bulk relief -- with Lucas Giolito closing in on his team debut.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Following opener again
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Waldron is slated to serve as the Padres' primary pitcher in Tuesday's game versus the Brewers, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Waldron struck out seven over five innings of one-run ball against the Giants on Wednesday after following opener Bradgley Rodriguez. The Padres will follow that same formula again in Tuesday's series opener. Waldron is not guaranteed any more starts beyond Tuesday's, as Lucas Giolito is expected to be ready to join the rotation soon after knocking off some rust in the minors.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Excels behind opener
Rotowire
Waldron (1-1) earned the win Wednesday over San Francisco, allowing a run on two hits and no walks over five innings. He struck out seven.
After struggling to a 9.88 ERA over his first three starts this year, the Padres elected to use an opener ahead of Waldron on Wednesday. The move paid immediate dividends, as Waldron was nearly untouchable in the San Diego victory -- the Giants' lone run came on a Rafael Devers solo homer in the fifth. Despite Wednesday's performance, it remains to be seen what Waldron's role will be going forward, as Lucas Giolito is expected to join the rotation soon.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Set to work behind opener Wednesday
Rotowire
Waldron is expected to pitch behind opening pitcher Bradgley Rodriguez in Wednesday's game against the Giants, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Waldron has started in each of his first three appearances of the season with the Padres but has found little success, pitching to a 9.88 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB in 13.2 innings. By turning to Rodriguez to cover the first inning or two of Wednesday's contest, the Padres are hopeful that Waldron will turn in improved results, since he'll perhaps be spared from facing the top of the San Francisco lineup once he enters the game. Even if Waldron fares better in the bulk-relief role, he could be at risk of a more permanent move to the bullpen -- or being designated for assignment -- in the near future. Lucas Giolito is close to being ready to join the big-league rotation after building up to four innings and 78 pitches Tuesday in his latest minor-league rehab start.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Allows three runs in no-decision
Rotowire
Waldron did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Cubs, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out one over five innings.
Waldron labored early, throwing 41 pitches over the first two innings and allowing five baserunners, though he limited the damage to one run on an RBI single from Miguel Amaya. The right-hander later gave up a two-run homer to Pete Crow-Armstrong in the fourth but overall turned in a more stable outing compared to his first two starts, in which he allowed six earned runs in each. While it was a step forward for the knuckleballer, his season numbers remain inflated, as he now holds a 9.88 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and an 8:5 K:BB across 13.2 innings. Waldron could be in line for a more favorable outing next time against a Giants lineup that has struggled to score runs this season.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Escapes with no-decision
Rotowire
Waldron took a no-decision Thursday against the Rockies, allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out three.
Facing a stiff assignment at Coors Field on Thursday, Waldron was unable to get the Rockies off balance with his knuckleball. The 29-year-old right-hander has now yielded six runs on eight hits in both of his starts to begin the season, and it's plausible that Lucas Giolito will eventually take Waldron's spot in the rotation once he's up to speed after signing with the Padres on Wednesday. Waldron tentatively projects to next take the ball against the Cubs.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Drawing another start
Rotowire
Waldron is slated to start Thursday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field.
Shelved to begin the season while completing his recovery from hemorrhoid surgery, Waldron returned from the injured list last week following a dominant minor-league rehab stint during which he tossed 12 scoreless frames and posted a 12:1 K:BB over three starts for Triple-A El Paso. The right-hander stepped into the San Diego rotation but was unable to carry over his success from the minors, taking a loss Friday against the Angels while yielding six earned runs on eight hits and one walk over 3.2 innings. Though Waldron will be handed another start, he'll be difficult to rely upon for fantasy purposes while pitching in hitter-friendly Colorado.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Activated ahead of season debut
Rotowire
The Padres activated Waldron (lower body) from the 15-day injured list Friday.
Waldron is set to make his season debut Friday with a start on the road against the Angels. The knuckleballer got a late start to the season after having hemorrhoid surgery in late February, but he looked sharp in a rehab assignment at Triple-A El Paso, tossing 12 scoreless innings with a 12:1 K:BB. Waldron will have the opportunity to make additional starts for the Padres if he pitches well.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: On track to join rotation
Rotowire
The Padres are expected to activate Waldron (lower body) from the 15-day injured list and have him make a start during this weekend's series versus the Angels in Anaheim, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
After undergoing hemorrhoid surgery in late February, Waldron was eased along slowly in spring training and was placed on the injured list prior to Opening Day. He was cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment when Triple-A El Paso opened its season in late March, and he's looked sharp over the course of three starts with the affiliate, tossing 12 scoreless innings while allowing just seven hits and posting a 12:1 K:BB. Waldron has since rejoined the Padres and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, which likely puts him on track to start Friday's series opener. The right-hander will be joining the rotation as a replacement for Nick Pivetta (elbow) and should be in line for multiple turns with Pivetta facing an uncertain timeline for a return.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Faces hitters Thursday
Rotowire
Waldron (lower body) threw "about 25 pitches" in a live batting-practice session Thursday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
The session marked Waldron's first time throwing to live hitters since he underwent hemorrhoid surgery in late February. The knuckleballer said Thursday that he expects to throw a bullpen and then get into a Cactus League game in the next 5-to-6 days, but he also stated that he isn't going to be ready for Opening Day. That means Waldron will likely begin the campaign on the IL, though he could be ready to be activated around mid-April.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Throwing off mound this week
Rotowire
Waldron (lower body) is slated to throw off the mound this week, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Waldron underwent hemorrhoid surgery last week and is expected to begin the season on the injured list. The knuckleballer hopes to make at least one Cactus League appearance before camp breaks. Waldron is out of minor-league options, so once he's healthy he'll need to either go on the active roster or be exposed to waivers.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Week-to-week after procedure
Rotowire
Padres manager Craig Stammen said Tuesday that Waldron is "week-to-week" after undergoing hemorrhoid surgery, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Waldron is in competition for a spot in the Padres' rotation and threw two scoreless innings in his first Cactus League appearance. However, it's going to be difficult for the knuckleballer to earn one of those spots now. Waldron is coming off a rough 2025 season, as he was knocked around in his lone start for the Padres and posted a 6.67 ERA in 18 starts with Triple-A El Paso.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Entering rotation Monday
Rotowire
The Padres will call up Waldron from Triple-A El Paso to start Monday's game in Philadelphia, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
After making 26 starts for the Padres in 2024, Waldron will be joining the Padres for the first time this season. He spent the early part of the season on the injured list while recovering from an oblique strain, but he's been making regular turns out of the Triple-A rotation since late May and owns a 5.24 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB in 22.1 innings with El Paso. While those numbers don't necessarily make the knuckleballer deserving of a promotion, the Padres were short on alternatives to fill the fifth spot in the rotation due to Ryan Bergert (forearm) recently joining Yu Darvish (elbow), Michael King (shoulder) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) on the injured list. Darvish is the closest of that quartet to returning from the IL, but since his timetable is still somewhat vague, Waldron could be needed to make multiple turns through the rotation before the All-Star break.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Activated, optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Padres activated Waldron (oblique) from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Waldron had been on the shelf throughout the 2025 campaign while recovering from a left oblique strain, but after completing a rehab assignment, he'll make regular turns out of the El Paso rotation. In his most recent outing for the Triple-A club Friday, Waldron struck out six over four innings but allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks. The knuckleballer spent most of 2024 in the San Diego rotation, turning in a 4.91 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 133:40 K:BB in 146.2 innings. He could be an option to return to the big-league rotation later on in 2025 if he can find some success with El Paso.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
Waldron (oblique) began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Thursday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Waldron suffered an oblique strain in mid-March but returned to the mound Thursday. He allowed one earned run on two hits and a walk while striking out three across 1.2 frames. Waldron threw a total of 38 pitches, so he'll likely need a few more appearances before being activated.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Moved to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Padres transferred Waldron (oblique) to the 60-day injured list Friday.
Waldron has been on the injured list all season due to a strained left oblique, and his move to the 60-day IL will ensure he remains out until at least late May. His roster spot will be filled by Tyler Wade, who was selected from Triple-A to replace the injured Jake Cronenworth (rib).
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Lands on IL
Rotowire
The Padres placed Waldron (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.
Waldron has yet to resume a throwing program since suffering a left oblique strain while warming up in the bullpen March 14. He'll require more than the minimum 15 days to heal from the injury, and with Yu Darvish (elbow) joining him on the shelf to begin the season, the Padres will have room in the rotation for both Kyle Hart and Randy Vasquez, who had been competing with Waldron for the No. 5 starter role.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Not yet throwing
Rotowire
Waldron (oblique) has yet to resume throwing, per MLB.com.
Waldron is dealing with a mild left oblique strain and is expected to begin the campaign on the injured list. He had been competing for the Padres' fifth-starter role this spring, though he struggled with an 8.68 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 7:7 K:BB over 9.1 Cactus League innings before getting hurt. With both Waldron and Yu Darvish (elbow) likely unavailable at the start of the season, Randy Vasquez, Stephen Kolek and Kyle Hart are battling to fill San Diego's two available rotation slots.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Diagnosed with oblique strain
Rotowire
Waldron suffered a mild left oblique strain while warming up in the bullpen Friday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Waldron's injury prevented him from pitching as scheduled against the Rangers. He'll be re-evaluated Saturday, at which point a return timeline may be established, but he's likely to be unavailable for Opening Day given the timing of the injury. The 28-year-old right-hander has had a tough time getting going this spring, surrendering 11 runs (nine earned) on nine hits and seven walks while striking out seven batters in 9.1 innings.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Intends to lean more on knuckleball
Rotowire
Waldron said Wednesday that he is planning to throw his knuckleball more frequently during the upcoming season, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
The knuckler was Waldron's most-used pitch last year, as he threw it 38.2 percent of the time, per Statcast. The right-hander registered a 27.5 percent whiff rate on the offering, and opponents had a .227 xBA against it, rendering it a relatively effective pitch, especially in comparison to his four-seamer (19.1 percent usage rate, 22.4 percent whiff rate, .247 xBA) and his sinker (14.3 percent usage rate, 6.7 percent whiff rate, .316 xBA). Waldron is battling for a spot at the back of San Diego's rotation, and how he -- and his knuckleball -- perform during Cactus League play could go a long way toward determining what his role will be at the start of the season.
