Ty France, Walker Buehler are Padres

PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 12: Ty France #4 of the San Diego Padres bats in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals during a spring training game at Peoria Stadium on March 12, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images The San Diego Padres final roster decisions are days away but the opt-out clauses for two veterans provided some early decision-making for the Padres. Both starter Walker Buehler and infielder Ty France had to be placed on the 40-man roster today or risk being lost to another team.

Both Buehler and France were signed to minor league deals during the off-season and due to their years of service, they have opt-out clauses in their contracts. Those clauses kick in at various stages during the season, allowing them to be free agents again if they are not on the major league roster. The first opt-out for both was March 21.

Stiff competition and an injury While it seemed obvious that Buehler was safely entrenched in the rotation after his past two starts, France was not as much of a guarantee. He had close competition with Jose Miranda after it became clear that utility player Sung-Mun Song was not healthy enough to start the season with the Padres. With France on the roster, Miranda can be sent to Triple-A and his first opt-out is not until later in the season (June 1).

The difficulty will arise when Song is ready to come off the IL. France can only be optioned if he agrees, otherwise he can become a free agent again and sign with any team. This is a return for France to the team that drafted and developed him through its system.