The San Diego Padres entered Spring Training with an open competition for the fifth and final spot in the rotation. Since the start of spring, the Friar Faithful have learned that Joe Musgrove, who is returning after Tommy John surgery, is likely to start the season on the injured list, which means the Padres will have two spots to fill in their rotation.
The competition for what is now two spots in the rotation is likely to result in minor league signee Walker Buehler and major league signee German Marquez occupying those positions, but manager Craig Stammen said roster decisions will be made as late as possible to allow the organization to have the most information available to them. Could that mean San Diego president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller might look to make a trade or sign a free agent? Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball thinks Preller should strongly consider adding the best remaining free agent pitcher, Lucas Giolito, to strengthen the rotation and to provide pitching depth when players like Musgrove or Griffin Canning return to the team when healthy. Of course, there are other players on the roster who could push for a rotation spot and make the need to sign Giolito irrelevant, but with only a week remaining before Opening Day, decisions about how to address the pitching vacancies will have to be made soon.