This blog post digs into the latest on Padres right-hander Matt Waldron, who’s been shut down after a hemorrhoid procedure. It looks at what this means for San Diego’s rotation, Waldron’s 2024 performance, and how the club’s depth chart is shaping up as spring nears.
With Waldron now week-to-week, the Padres have to weigh their options. There’s IL time to consider and the awkwardness of managing a pitcher who leans on a rare knuckleball delivery.
Waldron’s health update and immediate implications for San Diego
The team brass currently lists him as week-to-week after the procedure. The Padres are figuring out the best next steps once doctors clear him.
They might start him on the 15-day injured list, then look at a 30-day minor-league rehab if he’s ready to pitch again. This whole situation throws a wrench into San Diego’s early-season rotation plans and really highlights just how much depth matters during these stretches.
What happened and current status
Matt Waldron, 29, landed on the shelf after his hemorrhoid procedure. Manager Craig Stammen said he’ll be on the mend for a bit.
Because Waldron is out of minor-league options, the Padres can’t just send him to Triple-A without risking losing him to waivers. They might just put him on the 15-day IL to start the season, then send him on a rehab assignment once he’s cleared.
Performance snapshot and trends
In 2024, Waldron made 26 starts, posting a 4.91 ERA, a 21.3% strikeout rate, and a 6.4% walk rate. He looked sharp in the first third of the season, with a 3.79 ERA over his first 23 starts.
But things unraveled at the end—his last 18 1/3 innings saw him give up 26 runs, which really spiked his numbers. Waldron is still one of the only active knuckleballers in the majors, which is kind of wild and definitely unpredictable.
His Triple-A numbers were all over the place, too: a 6.48 ERA in 21 starts, but a decent 20.7% strikeout rate and 7.1% walk rate. A high BABIP of .368 and a 59% strand rate made things look even worse, so it wasn’t all on him—some bad luck and maybe some shaky execution played a part.
- 2024 ERA: 4.91
- Strikeout rate: 21.3%
- Walk rate: 6.4%
- First 23 starts ERA: 3.79
- Final 18 1/3 innings: 26 earned runs allowed
- Triple-A ERA: 6.48
- Triple-A K/BB: 20.7% / 7.1%
- BABIP: .368; Strand rate: 59%
Roster implications and option status
Roster math is a headache, too. Waldron’s out of minor-league options, so if the Padres try to send him to Triple-A, he’d have to clear waivers—and there’s always a team willing to take a chance.
The likely move? Start him on the IL, buy some time for rehab, and see if he’s ready for a minor-league stint when he’s healthy. The Padres are also trying to figure out how his absence shakes up the rest of the rotation, and honestly, it’s tough when you’re counting on a knuckleballer for innings over a long season.
- Out of minor-league options means waivers would be needed to move Waldron to Triple-A.
- Possible 15-day IL to open the season, followed by a 30-day rehab assignment if cleared to pitch.
- Padres must balance Waldron’s return timeline with the health of the rest of the pitching staff.
Rotation outlook for the Padres heading into the season
San Diego’s projected rotation looks pretty sturdy, at least on paper. The core includes Joe Musgrove, Michael King, Nick Pivetta, Randy Vásquez, and Germán Márquez.
The club also added Griffin Canning and will probably dip into depth from JP Sears and Kyle Hart if things get dicey. On top of that, a handful of veterans on minor-league deals provide some backup in case injuries or cold streaks pop up.
Waldron’s status isn’t just about his own timeline. It could change how the Padres handle the rest of the rotation during spring and those early weeks.
As spring training unfolds, the real story feels like it’s less about one pitcher and more about how a knuckleball specialist and a battered roster might shake up the Padres’ 2025 plans. Fans and fantasy players are definitely watching Waldron’s recovery closely, hoping he can get back into the mix at full strength sooner rather than later.
Here is the source article for this story: Padres Shut Matt Waldron Down
Experience Baseball History in Person
Want to walk the same grounds where baseball legends made history? Find accommodations near iconic ballparks across America and create your own baseball pilgrimage.
Check availability at hotels near: Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium
Plan your ballpark visit: Get MLB Ballpark Tickets and find accommodations nearby.
- Biographies
- Stadium Guides
- Current Baseball Players
- Current Players by Team
- Players that Retired in the 2020s
- Players that Retired in the 2010s
- Players that Retired in the 2000s
- Players that Retired in the 1990s
- Players that Retired in the 1980s
- Players that Retired in the 1970s
- Players that Retired in the 1960s
- Players that Retired in the 1950s
- Players that Retired in the 1940s
- Players that Retired in the 1930s