Matt Waldron

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Not yet throwing

  Rotowire Mar 21, 2025

  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 Mar 15, 2025

  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: Possibly injured in bullpen

  Rotowire Mar 14, 2025

  Waldron didn't pitch as scheduled Friday due to a potential injury he suffered while warming up in the bullpen, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports. After Waldron threw a few pitches in the bullpen preparing for what was supposed to be his fifth appearance of the spring, a trainer intervened to check on him. The 28-year-old righty then retreated into the Padres' clubhouse. It's unclear at the moment what he might be dealing with, though more information is likely to be revealed following the game.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Intends to lean more on knuckleball

  Rotowire Feb 12, 2025

  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

  Rotowire Sep 29, 2024

  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

  Rotowire Aug 22, 2024

  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

  Rotowire Aug 17, 2024

  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

  Rotowire Aug 11, 2024

  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

  Rotowire Aug 5, 2024

  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

  Rotowire Jul 31, 2024

  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

  Rotowire Jul 20, 2024

  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

  Rotowire Jul 13, 2024

  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 Jul 7, 2024

  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

  Rotowire Jun 3, 2024

  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.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Strikes out seven Thursday

  Rotowire May 23, 2024

  Waldron allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings in a no-decision versus the Reds on Thursday. Waldron allowed a run in each of the first two innings before settling in. He's allowed a total of five runs over his last 16 innings while adding a 23:6 K:BB in that span. Waldron's overall numbers are still mediocre -- he has a 4.86 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 52:19 K:BB through 50 innings across 10 starts -- but he's shown improvement and resilience after a tough outing versus Arizona to begin May. He's projected to make his next start at home in a favorable matchup versus the Marlins.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Fans 10 in win

  Rotowire May 17, 2024

  Waldron (2-5) earned the win Friday against Atlanta, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out 10. Waldron made the Atlanta lineup look uncomfortable in the batter's box all night with his knuckleball. The San Diego right-hander used 98 pitches to reach double-digit strikeouts in a start for the first time in his career. Waldron sports a 5.00 ERA in 45 innings this season but has been slightly unlucky, as evidenced by his 3.98 FIP. He lines up to face the Reds on the road for his next outing.

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• Padres' Matt Waldron: Surrenders eight runs in loss

  Rotowire May 6, 2024

  Waldron (1-4) took the loss Sunday against the Diamondbacks, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits and three walks while striking out two over three innings. Waldron suffered his worst outing of the season, allowing a career-high eight runs while also posting the shortest outing since he debuted last year. The Diamondbacks put up a four-spot in the first, highlighted by a two-run blast from Ketel Marte. They tacked on another two in the second and then chased him out of the fourth with back-to-back doubles to open the inning. Despite the shaky results, Waldron may retain a rotation spot after Joe Musgrove was put on the 15-day injured list Sunday with elbow inflammation. Waldron now owns a 5.82 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB in 34 innings and is expected to take the mound versus the Dodgers over the weekend.

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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: 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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