Get ready for some breaking news on the baseball front! Griffin Canning's road to recovery is a story that's got us all intrigued. This Padres right-hander is still on the mend from a serious Achilles tendon injury, and here's where it gets controversial... he's not quite ready to take the field yet.
Despite his progress in throwing, Kevin Acee from the San Diego Union-Tribune hints at a potential return in late April, but May or June seems more realistic. Canning suffered this setback last June while with the Mets, and similar injuries often keep players out for a full year. But here's the twist: the Padres are confident enough to offer him a major league deal, with a guaranteed $2.5MM and some incentives on the side.
And this is the part most people miss: Canning's performance with the Mets last year, before the injury, was impressive. He threw more cutters and sliders, and his grounders were above average, a significant improvement from his time with the Angels. The Padres are hoping he can bring that form into 2026, but first, they need him to be fully fit.
The rotation for the upcoming season is shaping up, with Michael King, Joe Musgrove, and Nick Pivetta leading the charge. There are at least two spots up for grabs, and the Padres are even considering a six-man rotation, which would create even more opportunities. But there's more to this story.
Matt Waldron, another key player, is also starting the season on the injured list due to a recent hemorrhoid procedure. Yu Darvish, unfortunately, will miss the entire 2026 season due to elbow surgery. This leaves Randy Vásquez and Germán Márquez as the favorites for the final two rotation spots, with JP Sears likely heading to Triple-A. Walker Buehler, Marco Gonzales, and Triston McKenzie are also in the mix as non-roster invitees.
The Opening Day rotation will likely be a temporary solution, with Canning set to join the team once he's fully recovered. The Padres will have some tough decisions to make when that time comes, depending on the performance and health of the other pitchers in the interim. Waldron's return could be a tricky situation, given his options status and last year's ERA. So, what do you think? Will Canning make a smooth transition back into the rotation? And how will the Padres navigate these roster decisions? Let's discuss in the comments!
