Padres Reacts Survey Results: Fans very concerned about San Diego rotation as Opening Day approaches

PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 14: Nick Pivetta #27 of the San Diego Padres throws a pitch during a Spring Training game against the Cleveland Guardians at Peoria Stadium on March 14, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Padres fans and fans across the country.

Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. The San Diego Padres provided some clarity with their starting pitching situation with the announcement from Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune on Friday that Walker Buehler has made the roster , and he and German Marquez are expected to occupy the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation. The San Diego rotation to start the season will look something like this: Nick Pivetta Michael King Randy Vasquez Walker Buehler German Marquez Joe Musgrove will start the season on the IL and is expected to return sooner than later but has not pitched in a game since March 4 against Great Britain.

Griffin Canning is on the mend and is expected to return to MLB action sometime in May, but there is no exact date for his return. Matt Waldron returned to game action last week after being shut down due to hemorrhoid surgery. Waldron is out of options and is likely to start the season on the IL, but if not, he will have to be released and pass through waivers for the Padres to retain him.

Of the healthy pitching options remaining, there is Marco Gonzales who had a decent showing against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, but has struggled throughout Spring Training, JP Sears, who has shown he is susceptible to the home run and Triston McKenzie who has struggled with command. None of the healthy names remaining will have the Frair Faithful standing on their heads, but Sears has received praise about his work ethic and desire to get better from Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla and McKenzie, who worked with Niebla in Cleveland, has increased his velocity and is actively working to have better command of his pitches. If they can improve upon their spring performances, Sears and McKenzie could still have significant roles this season despite not breaking camp on the Opening Day roster.