The Padres will carry Walker Buehler on their Opening Day lineup, reports Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The veteran righty would have been able to claim his release tomorrow if San Diego hadn’t called him up.
Buehler is closing in on a $1.5MM base salary by breaking camp. His deal includes up to $2.5MM in active program bonuses. Acee writes that Buehler and German Marquez they are expected to finish the season opener five behind Nick Pivetta, Michael King again Randy Vásquez.
The Padres will be out Joe Musgrove at least a few weeks after he did not recover as expected at the latest start. Griffin Canning he begins the season on the injured list as he rehabs the Achilles he tore last summer. Canning threw one inning against the Mariners minor leaguers in the backfield this afternoon, his first competitive work since the injury (via MLB.com’s injury tracker). Matt Waldronwithout minor league options, and after a few weeks due to the hemorrhoid process. Yu Darvish he will miss the entire season after undergoing elbow surgery last fall.
Buehler is coming off a second straight tough season. He posted a 4.93 ERA with a career-worst 16.3% strikeout rate in 126 innings. He spent most of his time in Boston but was released in August. Buehler played with the Phillies to close out the season before returning to the open market at the end of the year. He had to deal with a minor league deal but got a great opportunity in San Diego because of their rotation of injuries.
The righty pitched three Cactus League games, allowing four runs with 13 strikeouts and four walks over 11 2/3 innings. Buehler mixed six pitches but only averaged 92-93 mph on his fastballs. He will likely pick up speed as he enters the season. He has work to do to match last year’s career-low mark of 94 mph, not to mention the mid-90s heat he had before his second Tommy John surgery in 2023.
Buehler isn’t the only veteran with an impending decision to come out. Striker France He could also be released tomorrow if the Padres don’t carry him on the roster. His minor league deal comes with a base salary of $1.35MM. Acee wrote that the team is still undecided on whether to include France or his fellow minor league signings. Jose Miranda in that place. Bryce Johnson He is out of the options and the favorite to win the fourth foreign role, while Nick Castellanos again Luis Campusano have secure bench spots.
France and Miranda played very well this spring. The internal help area will go to it Song of Sung-mun once he’s back from a tilted problem. A minor injury could change the picture, but it will be a crowded bench no matter who the Padres start the season with. France has a term of service to refuse any minor league assignment. Miranda is out of options and will need to be withdrawn if the Padres try to move him back after calling him up.
The Padres have one opening on the 40-man roster after being waived Daison Acosta a few weeks ago. They actually work with two other free sites. Not Darvish either Bryan Hoeing has been placed on the 60-day injured list for now. They are both out for the season.
In the bullpen, MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell relays the word from left-handed captain Craig Stammen. Yuki Matsui we went out on Opening Day. The southpaw suffered a strained left hip that kept him out of Japan for the World Baseball Classic. He will start the season with a 15-day IL but could return in April.
That’s right Jason Adam He made his Spring Training debut this evening. You tend to open in the active list. Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, Jeremiah Estrada, David Morgan, Wandy Peralta again Kyle Hart it all seems to be confirmed by bullpen spots. If Adam is healthy, that will leave one spot available. Ron Marinaccio ran out of options and could be a favorite for that reason. Throwing hard Bradgley Rodríguez I was impressed late last season, and the Padres talked a lot about unsigned invitees Logan Gillaspie as something that could be of long-term help.
