How the Padres’ No. 3 starter role battle is shaping
Friars may revamp their starting rotation.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Griffin Canning (Photo by K. C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images) The first month of the 2026 season is in the book.
The main priority for the San Diego Padres is still rectifying their starting rotation. Injuries have made it impossible to figure out the rotation beyond Michael King and Randy Vasquez in the top two spots. The next order of business is deciding the future of Walker Buehler, German Marquez, and, to a lesser extent, Matt Waldron.
None of them has been consistent at all to claim the third starter role and complement King and Vasquez. Performance does matter. A Canning and Giolito sighting could be coming to Petco Park With the order of the rotation still up for grabs, the front office has some sorting out to do.
Reinforcements like Griffin Canning and Lucas Giolito are working their way back to the majors. Canning is close to making his season debut after rehabbing a ruptured left Achilles tendon suffered last June. He has made four starts with the Padres Triple-A affiliate, El Paso Chihuahuas.