Not a lot has gone proper for the San Diego Padres because the calendar flipped to June.
San Diego has gone simply 12-19 since June 1 and trails the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers by 14 video games within the NL West. The Padres are additionally simply 2-8 over their final 10 video games and enter Monday 4 video games behind the ultimate National League Wild Card spot.
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While the offense has scored a league-worst 348 runs in 2026, the beginning rotation has struggled mightily as of late. Padres starters personal a 6.58 ERA over the membership’s final 10 video games, and the rotation has been hit arduous by accidents.
Randy Vásquez landed on the 15-day injured record with a proper ankle contusion on Friday, becoming a member of Lucas Giolito (proper elbow irritation), Matt Waldron (proper bicep discomfort), and Nick Pivetta (proper elbow irritation) on the injured record.
Meanwhile, Joe Musgrove (Tommy John surgical procedure) and Yu Darvish (proper elbow UCL restore surgical procedure) haven’t pitched all season.
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Those accidents have left San Diego counting on a rotation consisting of Michael King, Griffin Canning, JP Sears, and Walker Buehler. The group has proven cracks lately, growing the necessity for reinforcements earlier than the Aug. 3 commerce deadline.
Padres Urged to Add Starting Pitching
In a July 5 article, MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell recognized beginning pitching as San Diego’s largest want getting into the commerce deadline.
“The Padres are hoping for the perfect with Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta, who’re each rehabbing main elbow accidents,” Cassavell wrote. “But elbow injuries are tricky, and neither is expected back until after the Trade Deadline. So the Padres need to plan for any contingency. Not to mention that, even if both are healthy, they could still use some rotation help.”
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President of baseball operations A.J. Preller has by no means been shy about making aggressive commerce deadline strikes. Last season, San Diego made a flurry of massive trades, together with the acquisition of star nearer Mason Miller.
The circumstances are completely different this yr, although. Instead of competing for the NL West title, the Padres are combating to get above .500 and to remain within the Wild Card race.
That urgency might push the entrance workplace to be particularly aggressive in its seek for rotation assist.
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With beginning pitching anticipated to be in excessive demand, the Padres might very possible be within the combine for all the massive names. Tarik Skubal, Joe Ryan, and Sonny Gray are only a few of the starters San Diego might pursue.
If historical past is any indication, Preller won’t hesitate to make a blockbuster transfer. Given the place the Padres at present are within the standings, including one other starter often is the membership’s clearest path to retaining its postseason hopes alive.
San Diego (44-45) opens a pivotal four-game sequence towards the Arizona Diamondbacks (44-45) at 9:40 pm ET, with each groups seeking to acquire floor within the National League Wild Card race.
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This story was initially revealed by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2026, the place it first appeared within the MLB part. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.