Mike Shildt Gives More Insight Into Padres Starting Rotation Plans for 2024

San Diego only has two proven starting pitchers in their rotation.

The San Diego Padres have deployed a six-man rotation for the past two years. 

This year will be different. As camp opened on Sunday, the Padres have two main starters, and manager Mike Shlildt will have a wide-open competition for the other spots.

“It’ll be a work in progress. The players will tell us to some degree. It’s an open competition.”

Mike Shildt via San Diego Union-Tribune

The Padres in 2022 and '23 got more innings out of their starters than all but three teams. As of right now, they have two proven starters, Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove, and one talented pitcher, Michael King, who is transitioning to become a full-time starter.

"Guys are gonna have to step up and take advantage of the opportunity."

Mike Shildt via San Diego Union-Tribune

Jhony Brito and Randy Vásquez, who came over in the Juan Soto and Trent Grisham trade, have 18 starts combined. After them, Pedro Avila and Matt Waldron made six starts apiece for the Padres last season. 

“We’ll just see how it unfolds as we go. I do think our bullpen is gonna be a strength of our club. But one of the reasons your bullpen is a strength is based on your starters being able to eat innings. We can’t be living in our bullpen early often. … I’ve been really impressed with the group and always impressed with Ruben (Niebla, the Padres pitching coach) and his group. I’m confident we’ll get the best out of what we have and (navigate) the balancing act of making sure we’re competing and keeping these guys healthy. The bottom line is we’re gonna have to have people step up and perform.”

Mike Shildt via San Diego Union-Tribune