The Padres optioned Waldron to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.
Waldron will head back to the minors after he permitted four runs over 4.2 innings Monday while taking a loss in a spot start versus the Phillies. San Diego called up right-hander Eduarniel Nunez to replace Waldron on the 26-man active roster.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Headed to Triple-A
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The Padres are expected to option Waldron to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Waldron will be the roster casualty necessary to make room for Eduarniel Nunez, who is set to be selected from El Paso on Wednesday. Waldron struggled mightily during his season debut Monday, during which he gave up four runs in 4.2 innings, and he's put up a 5.24 ERA and 1.54 WHIP through 22.1 frames in Triple-A.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Entering rotation Monday
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Recalled from Triple-A
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Waldron was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.
Waldron will serve as fresh arm capable of logging multiple innings of relief Sunday following starter Martin Perez. Waldron, who is known best for his knuckleball, logged a 4.79 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 130 strikeouts in 142.2 innings through 26 MLB starts this year.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Sent to minors
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The Padres optioned Waldron to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.
Waldron has given up 22 earned runs across his last 14.1 innings spanning three starts, and now the Padres will try to get him back on track in the minors. It's unclear who will take over Waldron's spot in the rotation, though Randy Vasquez is on the same pitching schedule as Waldron and would be a natural fit to return from Triple-A to fill the opening.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Hit hard in Colorado
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Waldron (7-10) allowed seven runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out six over 5.2 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Rockies.
To his credit, Waldron mostly spared the Padres' bullpen after laboring through a four-run first inning that saw him throw 28 of his 102 pitches. This was the third time in four outings he's given up at least five runs, and he's yielded at least one home run in nine of his last 11 starts after surrendering just six long balls over his first 14 appearances. Waldron has a 4.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 127:39 K:BB through 138.1 innings over 25 starts this season. His next outing is projected to come at home versus the Twins.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Slips against Fish
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Waldron came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 9-8 extra-inning win over the Marlins, surrendering five runs on five hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.
Miami erupted for six runs in the fifth inning and chased the knuckleballer from the game after 83 pitches (51 strikes), but San Diego's hitters were able to bail Waldron out in the late innings before winning it in the 10th. The 27-year-old has failed to last six innings in three straight starts, a stretch in which he's stumbled to a 7.07 ERA despite a 1.21 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB through 14 innings. Waldron could have a hard time turning things around in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend against the Rockies -- although he did deliver a quality start in his first career appearance at Coors Field back on April 24, allowing only one run over six innings.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Dominates Rockies for seventh win
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Waldron (7-9) got the win over the Rockies on Sunday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out seven over 5.2 innings.
The lone run that came against Waldron was a solo home run by Brenton Doyle in the fourth. His two hits allowed tied a season best and his seven strikeouts were the most he's had since he punched out eight June 24. Waldron led with his knuckleball, throwing it just under 44 percent of the time and getting five whiffs on the pitch. He was pulled at just 80 pitches, but providing length has certainly been a strength of Waldron's for much of the season. He now owns a 3.79 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 116:36 K:BB in 128.1 innings and lines up to face the Marlins on the road over the weekend.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Rebounds after rough start to game
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Waldron did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's win over the Dodgers, allowing five runs on five hits and a walk while striking out six over four innings.
Waldron gave up all five runs and four of his five hits in the opening frame but went on to retire 10 of the last 11 hitters he faced. He was still pulled after four innings at 81 pitches, marking his shortest outing since he lasted only three innings May 5. Tuesday also marked the first time Waldron has allowed five runs since he allowed eight back on May 5. Still, he's managed to go at least six innings in 10 of his last 12 starts and owns a 3.89 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 109:34 K:BB in 122.2 innings this season. He lines up to face the Pirates in a start next week.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Quality start wasted Friday
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Waldron (5-9) took the loss Friday as the Padres fell 7-0 to the Guardians, allowing one run on six hits over six innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.
The knuckleballer was sharp in his ninth quality start of the season, tossing 66 of 97 pitches for strikes, but he had no margin for error as San Diego's offense was ice cold coming out of the All-Star break. Waldron has worked at least six innings in nine of his last 10 trips to the mound, posting a 2.59 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 47:12 K:BB through 62.2 innings over that stretch. He lines up to make his next outing on the road next week against the Nationals.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Goes seven innings in loss
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Waldron (5-8) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out one over seven innings to take the loss Friday versus Atlanta.
Waldron has gone at least six innings in eight of his last nine starts, but this was the first time since May 5 he was tagged for more than three earned runs. He's now on a four-start winless skid, and Waldron is starting to have some trouble with homers -- after giving up two in the fifth inning Friday, he's been tagged for six long balls over his last five starts. The right-hander is still fairly reliable with a 3.71 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 93:31 K:BB in 106.2 innings through 19 starts this season, and struggling against Atlanta's strong lineup isn't overly concerning.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Fans six in quality start
Rotowire
Waldron did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over six innings while striking out six.
Waldron allowed Arizona's first run in the second after surrendering a leadoff single to open the frame, along with two walks and a second single, the latter three all coming with two outs. He would then surrender a leadoff homer to Lourdes Gurriel in the fourth and was later charged with a third run after being relieved by Yuki Matsui in the seventh. Waldron has now logged quality starts in seven of his last eight outings, though he's allowed multiple runs in three straight. The right-hander has also issued multiple free passes in five of his last six starts.
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Padres' Matt Waldron: Delivers quality start
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Waldron gave up a run on two hits over 6.1 innings in a no-decision Monday. He struck out four during the loss to the Angels.
Waldron turned in a second straight quality start Monday, allowing only one run in the fourth inning. He's given up two or fewer runs in five consecutive outings but has finished at least six innings just twice in that span. Still, his ERA has fallen from 5.82 to 3.98 during this run. Waldron has produced a 64:19 K:BB through 63.1 innings and hasn't allowed a long ball since May 11. He's currently in line to face Arizona at home this weekend.
