Fantasy News

• Padres' Matt Waldron: Takes loss Monday

  Rotowire Apr 30, 2024

  Waldron (1-3) was tagged with the loss against Cincinnati on Monday, allowing four runs on six hits and no walks while striking out four batters over six innings. Waldron fell behind early on an Elly De La Cruz first-inning solo homer, and he gave up four runs across his first three frames. To his credit, the knuckleballer yielded just one hit and zero runs over his final three innings, but San Diego's offense was mostly held in check. Waldron has completed six frames in each of his past two appearances, and he's given up one run in half of his six starts on the season. However, his record sits at 1-3, and he's pitched to a mediocre 4.35 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB over 31 frames overall.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Bounces back with quality start

  Rotowire Apr 25, 2024

  Waldron (1-2) earned the win against Colorado on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out five batters over six innings. Waldron gave up a season-high five runs against Toronto in his last start, but he bounced back nicely Wednesday to earn his first win of the season. The knuckleballer didn't seem to have any trouble with his primary pitch in the Colorado altitude, as the Rockies managed a modest four hits against him. Waldron's quality start was also his first of the campaign, and he now holds a respectable 3.96 ERA through 25 innings.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Bounces back Sunday

  Rotowire Apr 7, 2024

  Waldron did not factor in the decision Sunday after yielding one unearned run on three hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out five during the loss to San Francisco. After a brutal season debut, Waldron looked much better Sunday. He rolled through five shutout frames before the Giants pushed home an unearned run in the sixth. Despite the strong performance, Waldron forced just four swinging strikes on 85 pitches, with only two coming via the knuckleball. He's projected for a tough road matchup against the Dodgers next.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Shelled in season debut

  Rotowire Apr 2, 2024

  Waldron (0-1) took the loss against St. Louis on Monday, allowing four runs on nine hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over four innings. Waldron impressed in Cactus League play to win the role of fifth starter to open the campaign, but he was hit hard in his regular-season debut. Three of the Cardinals' nine hits against him went for extra bases, including Wilson Contreras' two-run homer in the first inning. Waldron did strike out seven batters in four frames, but punchouts aren't normally a big part of the knuckleballer's skill set -- he struck out less than a batter per inning at the Triple-A level across 2022 and 2023. Waldron doesn't have the longest of leashes, so he'll likely need to pitch better moving forward to hang on to a big-league rotation spot.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Named fifth starter

  Rotowire Mar 25, 2024

  Waldron has won the fifth spot in the Padres' rotation, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports. The knuckleballer won the job after posting a 1.35 ERA and 11:0 K:BB over 13.1 Cactus League innings. Waldron was solid during a look-see with the big club last season in posting a 4.35 ERA over 41.1 innings, although that came after a 7.31 ERA at Triple-A El Paso. His leash will be short, with Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez looming as alternatives.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Angling toward rotation spot

  Rotowire Mar 13, 2024

  Waldron appears to have an inside track for a spot in the Padres' Opening Day rotation, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports. While reaching the big leagues for the first time last season as a 26-year-old, Waldron made six starts for San Diego and posted so-so ratios (4.35 ERA, 4.42 xERA, 1.23 WHIP, 11.0 K-BB%) over his 41.1 total innings with the big club. The Padres lost Blake Snell, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha to free agency this winter, but after bringing in three rotation candidates in Michael King, Randy Vasquez and Jhony Brito from the Yankees in the deal that sent outfielder Juan Soto to The Bronx, Waldron still appeared to enter spring training on the outside looking in for a starting role. However, Waldron seems to have solidified his case for a rotation spot with an outstanding showing thus far in Cactus League play, as he's struck out 12 over 15.1 innings while allowing just two earned runs on 13 hits and no walks. While it may be enough for Waldron to break camp with the club, the right-hander still looks to be more of a name to keep an eye on in NL-only leagues rather than mixed leagues at this juncture, given his lack of pedigree and poor numbers at Triple-A El Paso in 2023 (7.31 ERA, 1.61 WHIP in 92.1 innings).

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Strikes out nine in no-decision

  Rotowire Sep 23, 2023

  Waldron allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out nine over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Friday. Waldron, who's gone at least five innings in three straight starts, was impressive but didn't get enough run support to pick up the win. His lone mistake resulted in a solo home run by Masyn Winn in the sixth inning. Waldron now has a 4.58 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB through 35.1 innings across seven appearances (five starts). The right-hander is lined up for a road outing in San Francisco next week, which would likely be his last of the season.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Draws another start Saturday

  Rotowire Sep 14, 2023

  Waldron is slated to start Saturday's game against the Athletics in Oakland. Waldron will make a second straight turn through the San Diego rotation after tossing five innings and allowing four runs in a losing effort in his most recent outing Sunday against the Astros. With Rich Hill having been demoted to the bullpen and placed on waivers and with both Yu Darvish (elbow) and Joe Musgrove (shoulder) looking unlikely to pitch again in 2023, Waldron should have a fair amount of job security in the rotation regardless of how he performs.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Tosses 88 pitches in relief Monday

  Rotowire Sep 5, 2023

  Waldron entered in the second inning of Monday's loss against Philadelphia and allowed three runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out three batters over 4.2 frames while notching a no-decision. Rich Hill started for San Diego and was lit up for six runs over 1.1 frames. Waldron took over with one out in the second and ended up pitching through the end of the sixth inning. The right-hander wasn't dominant but did keep the contest from becoming a blowout after the Phillies' fast start. Waldron has worked twice in long relief since being recalled from the minors Aug. 28, totaling 9.2 frames and yielding four runs along with a 7:1 K:BB. Per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, Waldron could be a consideration to replace the struggling veteran Hill in the rotation, though that's merely speculation at this point.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Stuck with loss in matinee

  Rotowire Aug 20, 2023

  Waldron (0-2) took the loss in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Diamondbacks, giving up five runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out five. Making his second career start in the majors, Waldron had trouble putting Arizona batters away when it mattered and got tagged for runs in the first, third and fifth innings, with the big blow being a two-run shot from Tommy Pham in the right-hander's final frame. Waldron's usage of a knuckleball makes him a bit of a novelty in the modern game, and he has yet to allow a hit on the pitch, but through his first 9.2 big-league innings he's surrendered a .923 SLG on his mediocre low-90s fastball.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Sent to Triple-A

  Rotowire Jul 20, 2023

  Waldron was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday. Waldron didn't get into a game after getting the call a few days ago and has pitched in one game all year for the big club, giving up two earned runs in 4.2 innings on June 24 against Washington. Robert Suarez (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Returns to majors

  Rotowire Jul 16, 2023

  The Padres recalled Waldron from Triple-A El Paso on Sunday. San Diego played two Saturday and used a combined eight relievers across both games of the twin bill. Waldron will provide a fresh arm and should be able to handle multiple innings if necessary. The right-hander has worked primarily as a starter at Triple-A this season, pitching to a 7.02 ERA and 1.66 WHIP over 66.2 innings.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Optioned to El Paso

  Rotowire Jul 14, 2023

  The Padres optioned Waldron to Triple-A El Paso on Friday. With the return of Steven Wilson (pectoral) from the injured list, Waldron will return to the minors to free up a spot in San Diego's bullpen. The 26-year-old knuckleballer has allowed two runs over 4.2 major-league innings, but his 7.02 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in Triple-A tell a different story about how his season has gone so far.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Sent down Sunday

  Rotowire Jun 25, 2023

  Waldron was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribunereports. The 26-year-old made his major-league debut Saturday against Washington and took the loss after he allowed two runs on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk over 4.2 innings. Waldron will return to the Triple-A rotation, where he has a 7.02 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 75:24 K:BB across 66.2 frames this season.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Loses debut

  Rotowire Jun 24, 2023

  Waldron (0-1) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out two over 4.2 innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Nationals. Waldron held his own in his big-league debut, but two of the four hits he allowed were solo home runs to Jeimer Candelario and Lane Thomas. It's unclear if this will lead to additional starts for Waldron, who is the only knuckleballer active in the majors. He pitched to a 7.02 ERA with Triple-A El Paso. If he doesn't get another start, Waldron will likely be back in the minors in the near future.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Officially promoted for spot start

  Rotowire Jun 24, 2023

  The Padres selected Waldron's contract from Triple-A El Paso on Saturday ahead of his start against Washington. The 26-year-old knuckleballer hasn't exactly been outstanding in Triple-A this season with a 7.02 ERA and 1.65 WHIP, but his unique arsenal of pitches could be enough to throw big-league hitters off their game a bit. Ray Kerr was optioned to El Paso in a corresponding move.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Will start Saturday

  Rotowire Jun 23, 2023

  The Padres will promote Waldron from Triple-A El Paso to start Saturday's game against the Nationals, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports. Waldron will be making his major-league debut in Saturday's game and will become the only active pitcher in the bigs that features a knuckleball in his arsenal. The 26-year-old righty has been hit around quite a bit in Triple-A this season with a 7.02 ERA and 1.65 WHIP alongside a 75:24 K:BB through 66.2 innings. No word yet on how the Padres' rotation will shift to accommodate for Waldron's arrival, but more information should come ahead of Saturday's game.

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