San Diego Padres News

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Jackson Merrill • CF • Padres

Jackson Merrill Likely to Bounce Back in 2026

San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill needs a bounce-back campaign after injuries plagued him throughout the 2025 season. Merrill came into the league in 2024 and was outstanding as he finished ninth in MVP voting. His excellent rookie season led to many drafting him in the first three rounds during last year's drafts. Sadly, the 2025 season didn't go as planned for Merrill. He only played in 115 games due to injury. Many of his offensive numbers took a hit, but his walk rate and barrel rate both improved. His overall mechanics are solid, which means he should be able to bounce back, assuming he stays healthy. The 22-year-old said during the offseason that he feels more comfortable and physically prepared for the 2026 season. Given his age and upside, Merrill is looking like a steal at his current ADP.

4 days ago

Sung-Mun Song • 3B • Padres

Sung-Mun Song Exits Early on Thursday With Oblique Tightness

San Diego Padres infielder Sung-Mun Song (oblique) was pulled from Thursday's Cactus League game early against the Seattle Mariners with tightness in his right oblique, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. It's the same oblique that Song injured in the offseason, but manager Craig Stammen said his exit on Thursday was "precautionary." For now, the 29-year-old South Korean is day-to-day, but his availability for Opening Day in late March could be in question if his oblique continues to be an issue. Going into his first year in the big leagues in the U.S., Song figures to be a utility infielder for the Friars. Most of Song's production in the KBO in Korea came recently, with him hitting .315/.387/.530 with a .917 OPS, career-high 26 home runs, 90 RBI, 103 runs scored, and 25 steals in 144 games in 2025. Song has a nice combination of power and contact, but playing time will be limited, and fantasy managers in deeper leagues should expect an adjustment to the velocity of MLB pitching.

4 days ago

Xander Bogaerts • SS • Padres

Xander Bogaerts the Leading Candidate to Hit Leadoff for Padres

San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts is the leading candidate to hit leadoff for the team this season, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee. Bogaerts has been the team's most common leadoff hitter so far in Cactus League play and appears to be the club's top choice to fill the No. 1 role this year, with outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. moving to the third or fourth spot in the batting order. The 33-year-old veteran's plate skills are declining, but a move to the top of the lineup will definitely help him get more plate appearances and perhaps rack up some more counting stats, at least in runs scored. Second baseman Jake Cronenworth is another candidate for manager Craig Stammen to hit leadoff this year. Bogaerts hit 11 homers for the second straight year in 2025 and also had a career-best 20 steals, but he was mostly underwhelming. A move to the leadoff spot will make him slightly more attractive as middle-infield depth with middling power and speed.

7 days ago

Fernando Tatis Jr. • RF • Padres

Fernando Tatis Jr. Moving to Middle of the Batting Order?

San Diego Padres All-Star outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is expected to hit either third or fourth in the team's batting order this year, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Tatis primarily hit leadoff for the Friars in 2025, so this is a notable development as he enters his seventh year in the big leagues. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts is expected to move to the leadoff role this season. The 27-year-old Tatis will have more RBI opportunities in the heart of the order, but he'll also have fewer plate appearances and will most likely score fewer runs. Tatis hit .268/.368/.446 with an .814 OPS, 25 home runs, 71 RBI, 111 runs scored, and 32 stolen bases in 691 plate appearances over 155 regular-season games. He's probably not going to return to the 40-homer mark as he did before his PED suspension, but he remains a solid power/speed asset as a top-10 fantasy outfielder, especially if he can continue to show the improved plate discipline he had in 2025.

7 days ago

Alex Verdugo • LF • Padres

Padres Add Alex Verdugo on Minor-League Deal

The San Diego Padres agreed to a minor-league deal with free-agent outfielder Alex Verdugo on Sunday, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Verdugo appeared in only 56 games with the Atlanta Braves last year and was eventually designated for assignment over the summer after hitting just .239/.296/.289 with no homers, 12 RBI, and 21 runs scored in 213 plate appearances. The nine-year veteran is getting a late start in spring training and won't be guaranteed to make the Padres' Opening Day roster. If Verdugo did make the big-league squad out of camp, he'd most likely be a platoon option from the left side of the plate in a corner-outfield spot or at designated hitter. Most likely, Verdugo will offer the Padres some outfield depth at Triple-A El Paso to begin the 2026 regular season. In 149 games with the Yankees in 2024, Verdugo held a .233/.291/.356 slash line with 13 homers and 61 RBI in 621 plate appearances.

7 days ago

Joe Musgrove • SP • Padres

Joe Musgrove to Start Exhibition Game on Wednesday

San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove (elbow) will start in the team's exhibition against Team Great Britain on Wednesday, his first appearance in a game since his 2024 Tommy John surgery that October, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. Musgrove didn't pitch at all for the Padres in 2025 as the results of his surgery, but he has worked his way all the way back and will be part of SD's Opening Day starting rotation. The 33-year-old is not expected to have any workload restrictions, but it's fair for fantasy managers to wonder how effective he'll be in 2026 in his return. Musgrove was a first-time All-Star back in 2022 with the Friars, when he went 10-7 with a career-best 2.93 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 184:42 K:BB in 181 innings (30 starts), but that was the last time he went over 100 innings in a season. Expecting him to return to that All-Star form in 2026 is a lot to ask, but Musgrove is definitely worth a late-round flier in fantasy drafts as rotation depth.

7 days ago

Xander Bogaerts • SS • Padres

Can Xander Bogaerts Play a Fully Healthy Season in 2026?

Entering his age-33 season, San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts is not the player he once was at his peak. However, the veteran was still a useful hitter when healthy in 2025, hitting .263/.328/.391 with 11 home runs, 53 RBI, 63 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases across 552 plate appearances. Bogaerts is also locked into everyday playing time at or near the top of the top-heavy Padres' lineup, which could help him rack up counting stats. However, Bogaerts has not posted a barrel rate north of 7.0% since 2021, so his ability to consistently hit for power and drive in runs is limited. Injuries are also starting to take their toll. Bogaerts has missed at least 25 games in each of the past two seasons while battling shoulder and foot ailments. The durability question marks are particularly damaging for a player of Bogaerts' profile, as his path to fantasy production relies on his ability to be a compiler across the counting categories. Bogaerts checks in as RotoBaller's 26th-ranked shortstop heading into 2026.

Feb 28

Joe Musgrove • SP • Padres

Joe Musgrove Sharp in Simulated Game, Quickly Approaching Spring Training Debut

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (elbow) was sharp in a simulated game early this week and is making a strong case to debut in spring training sometime next week. Musgrove is working his way back from Tommy John surgery but is slated to be a full-go for the start of the regular season. In this simulated game, Musgrove reached 95 MPH with his fastball and located his sinker and slider "very well." Earlier in the offseason, reports suggested that Musgrove would not face any major inning restriction, which is a great sign for his fantasy outlook. In 2024, Musgrove held a 3.8 ERA with a modest 1.17 WHIP. However, from 2021 through 2023, Musgrove held a strong 3.09 ERA with a dominant 1.09 WHIP. The 33-year-old carries solid sleeper appeal in all formats as he should take on a large role in the San Diego rotation.

Feb 27

Yuki Matsui • RP • Padres

Yuki Matsui Ruled Out for World Baseball Classic

San Diego Padres left-hander Yuki Matsui (groin) has officially been ruled out for next month's World Baseball Classic with Team Japan, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. Matsui is recovering from a left-groin strain that he suffered in a recent live batting practice session in camp with the Padres. He has resumed playing catch, but he hasn't thrown off a mound, and his status for Opening Day in late March is also in question. In his two seasons in San Diego since coming over from Japan, Matsui has a 3.86 ERA in 125 appearances out of the bullpen. He resides in one of the best bullpens in baseball, but as more of a middle-inning arm, he has limited fantasy value. "Right now, I'm just continuing the throwing progression, getting intensities and distances of [playing] catch back up," Matsui said. "Once it's good enough, then I'll start throwing off the mound. But as to when, we don't know yet. We're not sure yet [about Opening Day]."

Feb 26

Matt Waldron • SP • Padres

Matt Waldron "Week-to-Week" After Undergoing Surgery

San Diego Padres right-hander Matt Waldron (lower body) has been shut down and is labeled as "week-to-week" after undergoing hemorrhoid surgery, manager Craig Stammen told Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. This setback will now make it much more difficult for Waldron to make the starting rotation out of spring training. The 29-year-old knuckleballer made a career-high 27 appearances (26 starts) for the Padres in 2024, but he made just one start at the major-league level last year and allowed four earned runs on six hits while walking six and striking out three in 4 2/3 innings pitched. Waldron shouldn't be out for too long, but he's unlikely to be in the team's Opening Day starting rotation. Expect him to provide the Friars with starting pitching depth in 2026, but he shouldn't be on the fantasy radar in any redraft leagues.

Feb 24

Sung-Mun Song • 3B • Padres

Sung-Mun Song to Make Spring Training Debut Soon

The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee reports that San Diego Padres infielder Sung-Mun Song (oblique) is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut in spring training in the coming days after recovering from a minor oblique injury that he suffered while taking batting practice last month. The 29-year-old took live batting practice in camp on Thursday and is itching to make his spring training debut for the Friars. San Diego has had Song move around this spring in preparation for a super-utility role that could see him play some third base, second base, shortstop, and even left field. Barring injuries around the field for the Padres in 2026, Song will likely be a bench player in his first year in the United States, making him avoidable in mixed fantasy leagues. Song makes plenty of contact and has decent power, but we've seen Korean hitters in the past struggle initially with the velocity of MLB pitchers.

Feb 20

Jason Adam • RP • Padres

Jason Adam to be Ready for Opening Day?

San Diego Padres right-handed reliever Jason Adam (quadriceps) "remains on track to potentially be ready" for Opening Day in late March, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee. Adam said last week that he feels it's realistic for him to be ready for the start of the 2026 season, and he said on Friday that he thinks the team's medical staff is "on board." The 34-year-old veteran is making great progress since suffering a torn left quad late last season that required surgery. He has been throwing bullpen sessions since early December. When back to full health, Adam will be the Padres' top setup man in front of superstar closer Mason Miller. Adam was a first-time All-Star in 2025 and finished seventh among relievers with 29 holds while recording a sub-2.00 ERA for the third time in the last four years. He won't really see save chances as long as Miller stays healthy, but Adam should once again be very valuable in holds leagues.

Feb 20

Yuki Matsui • RP • Padres

Yuki Matsui Dealing With Groin Tightness

San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen said that left-handed reliever Yuki Matsui (groin) had his live batting practice session cut short in camp on Thursday due to left-groin tightness, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Although the injury doesn't sound very serious, it could keep Matsui from participating for Team Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. If he's feeling better, the 30-year-old southpaw could resume playing catch on Saturday. Matsui has been solid out of the Padres' bullpen in his first two years in the big leagues in middle relief, but he doesn't really move the needle in fantasy baseball without much of a high-leverage role. In his 125 appearances (126 innings), he has a 3.86 ERA (4.40 FIP), 1.26 WHIP, one save, 130 strikeouts, and 60 walks in San Diego.

Feb 20

Randy Vásquez • SP • Padres

Randy Vasquez has "Inside Track" on Rotation Spot

San Diego Padres right-hander Randy Vasquez has an "inside track" to one of the final starting rotation spots in San Diego to begin the 2026 season despite the recent additions of German Marquez and Walker Buehler, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. Nick Pivetta, Michael King, and Joe Musgrove are locks. Vasquez, 27, likely earned himself a rotation spot to begin the year with his solid 2025 showing, in which he went 6-7 with a 3.84 ERA (4.85 FIP) and 1.32 WHIP with a career-high 78 strikeouts and 52 walks in 133 2/3 innings over 28 appearances (26 starts). While Vasquez was a solid back-of-the-rotation arm for the Friars, fantasy managers in deeper leagues should expect some regression due to his 5.51 xFIP and 5.44 SIERA. His 4.6% K-BB% was the third-lowest mark in the league among pitchers with at least 130 innings. Vasquez is outside of RotoBaller's top-100 starting pitchers in fantasy.

Feb 19

Michael King • SP • Padres

Michael King Hoping for a Healthy 2026

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King is a high-risk, high-reward option in 2026 fantasy baseball drafts after re-signing a three-year deal in the offseason. In his first year in San Diego, King showed his upside with a sparkling 2.95 ERA, 3.33 FIP, and 1.19 WHIP to go with a career-high 201 strikeouts in 30 regular-season starts. Last year, though, he was held back by shoulder and knee injuries and was only able to make 15 starts, compiling a 3.44 ERA, 4.42 FIP, and 1.20 WHIP. His strikeout rate slipped a bit as well, and he finished with 76 punchouts in 73 1/3 innings. If he can stay healthy this year, King has the potential to be a fantasy ace, and he opens spring training with no restrictions. Some buzz from spring training suggests that the Padres may adopt a six-man rotation to mitigate their injury issues in the rotation, but this hasn't been officially announced yet. Drafting King for his upside is a good move in almost all formats, as long as you build in some extra depth in case injuries limit him again in 2026.

Feb 19

Griffin Canning • SP • Padres

Griffin Canning Expected to Begin the Season on the Injured List

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Griffin Canning (Achilles) is not expected to be ready to join his new team's rotation to start the season, but he could be back relatively early in the season. He could be ready to take a spot in April or May after finishing his recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered last June. Before the injury, the 29-year-old righty was having his best season in the majors, going 7-3 with a career-best 3.77 ERA, a 4.04 FIP, and a 1.38 WHIP with 70 strikeouts in 76 1/3 innings for the Mets. Canning will be an interesting option in Petco Park and a nice late-round stash if your league has enough IR spots to start the season. He is high-risk, though, given his inability to stay healthy during his career, so it may be better to grab him off waivers closer to his return in mixed leagues. In NL-only leagues, Canning is definitely worth stashing if possible.

Feb 19

Walker Buehler • SP • Padres

Padres Sign Walker Buehler to Minor-League Deal

The San Diego Padres signed free-agent right-hander Walker Buehler to a minor-league deal on Monday, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. The Padres' first four starting rotation spots for 2026 appear to be set with Nick Pivetta, Michael King, Joe Musgrove, and Randy Vasquez. Buehler will come to spring training competing for the fifth and final rotation spot with German Marquez, Matt Waldron, Triston McKenzie, JP Sears, and Marco Gonzales. The 31-year-old struggled in his final season with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024 and also didn't look great in 126 innings with the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies last year, posting a 4.93 ERA (5.66 FIP) and 1.52 WHIP with 92 strikeouts and 61 walks in 26 outings (24 starts). Buehler has not been the same pitcher since having Tommy John surgery in 2022, and he'll need to limit the walks and keep the ball in the yard to win a rotation spot in San Diego.

Feb 16

Ty France • 1B • Padres

Padres, Ty France Agree on Minor-League Deal

The San Diego Padres are signing free-agent first baseman Ty France to a minor-league deal with a non-roster invitation to major-league spring training, sources told Dennis Lin of The Athletic. France, 31, will return to the organization that drafted him in the 34th round out of San Diego State University back in 2015. The veteran right-handed-hitting first baseman slashed .257/.320/.360 with a .681 OPS, seven home runs, 52 RBI, and 50 runs scored in 138 games with the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays last year, his second straight season with an OPS below .700. He is an above-average defensive first baseman, but he's going to need to improve with the bat to find playing time in San Diego at first base. As things currently stand, Gavin Sheets and Nick Castellanos figure to platoon at first base. France could find at-bats as the designated hitter, but consistent playing time won't be guaranteed in his return to SD.

Feb 16

Ramón Laureano • RF • Padres

Ramon Laureano Coming Off Terrific Season at the Dish

San Diego Padres outfielder Ramon Laureano found his groove at the plate last season, delivering the best offensive numbers of his eight-year career so far. Laureano was previously known for his terrific defense and had made a name for himself with numerous insane throws in Oakland. However, it was the bat that came to play in 2025 as he posted a career-worst fWAR on defense but a career-high fWAR on offense, as well as a career-high wRC+. Across 132 games split between the Orioles and Padres, Laureano slashed .281/.342/.512 with a career-high 24 home runs, a 7.2% walk rate, a 24.4% strikeout rate, and 138 wRC+. He fared slightly better in Baltimore than in San Diego, but he was still highly effective with both organizations. It was tough to watch his defense hit a low point (-9 OAA and -5 FRV), but managers should be encouraged by his ability to contribute at the plate. As it stands, he ranks as the #60 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.

Feb 15

Germán Márquez • SP • Padres

German Marquez Signs Deal With Padres

The San Diego Padres have signed starting pitcher German Marquez to a one-year deal on Saturday. Marquez doesn't have pretty overall numbers, but he spent the first decade of his career pitching in Coors Field with the Colorado Rockies. Last season, Marquez posted a 6.70 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, and an 83/48 K/BB ratio across 26 starts. The move out of hitter-friendly Colorado should help bring down that inflated 6-plus ERA. The 30-year-old could be a useful innings-eater in the back-end of the starting rotation. Marquez posted a career-low 5.9 SO9 last season. He's not someone who misses many bats, so the chances of him becoming a useful fantasy option are unlikely.

Feb 14

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