NL West: Matt Waldron wins final rotation spot in San Diego

San Diego Padres

The recent acquisition of Dylan Cease left the Padres with a three-way battle for the final spot in the starting rotation. The Padres have named Matt Waldron, who made eight appearances (six starts) with the Padres last season, as their fifth starter. Waldron beat out fellow right-handers Jhony Brito and Randy Vásquez who were both acquired from the Yankees this off-season in the Juan Soto trade.

While Waldron doesn’t have the prospect pedigree of either Brito or Vasquez, he has had an excellent spring and was successful (4.39 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 10% K-BB% in 41 IP) as a starter in his first major league action last season. However, his 4.92 xERA, and low 17% K% and 8.4% SwK% suggest he may have difficulty repeating that...

Almost!

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