Mike Shildt Names 7 Pitchers Competing for Spots in Padres' Starting Rotation

The Padres could have seven guys fighting for two starting spots.

The San Diego Padres are entering Spring Training with many starting pitchers fighting for limited spots in the rotation.

In a recent interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, manager Mike Shildt mentioned seven names competing for those precious slots.

And (Jhony) Brito and (Randy) Vasquez, they’re coming in to camp as starters. Then you’ve got (Pedro) Avila, Matt (Waldron). It’s an open competition. So you’ve got Jairo Iriarte, who is having a great offseason, Jay Groome; Glen Otto has really opened some eyes. It’s going to be a very healthy camp for competition.

—Mike Shildt via the San Diego Union-Tribune

With Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove a full go for the start of camp and Michael King arriving via trade with the New York Yankees for Juan Soto, the rotation is only looking for two more starters.

The rest of the Padres' return for Soto included Vasquez, Brito and Thorpe, who will get a crack at a starting job. Vasquez and Brito both bring experience in the bullpen as well.

Avila and Waldron are both returners. Avila might have a slight edge with more big-league experience (63.2 innings pitched over four seasons, compared to 41.1 last year for Waldron).

Finally, there is Iriarte. The Padres promoted him to their 40-man roster to keep him protected from the Rule 5 Draft. He had a breakout season between Single-A Fort Wayne and Double-A San Antonio in 2023, with a 3.49 ERA in 90.1 innings over 27 appearances.

Avila can't be optioned to the minor leagues, so he will need a strong spring training to establish his place on the pitching staff somewhere. The other candidates for the last two starting rotation slots all can be optioned to the minors.

Pitchers and catchers report to Padres Spring Training on Sunday.