Padres Make Key Pitching Change Before Dodgers Series

Quite the interesting move!

The San Diego Padres are taking their planning process heading into this second Dodgers series much more seriously than the first go-around.

Michael Wacha was originally set to take the pitching mound against the Boys in Blue on Sunday against Tony Gonsolin. However, it is looking like he will now get an extra day of rest and not suit up until next series on Monday against the Kansas City Royals.

The returning Ryan Weathers will now take the mound on Sunday and this news was first shared by The San Diego-Union Tribune's Kevin Acee.

The Padres have made a rotation change.
Ryan Weathers will start Sunday against the Dodgers.
Michael Wacha will start Monday against the Royals.

— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) May 12, 2023

The Padres have made a rotation change. Ryan Weathers will start Sunday against the Dodgers. Michael Wacha will start Monday against the Royals.

(Via Kevin Acee)

Weathers will finally return to the starting rotation after being pulled and kept as a reliever for a slew of games. However, it looks like the front office made the right move by sending him to the minor league for a couple of weeks and having him stay as a starter with the El Paso Chihuahua's.

In two games with the, he was able to put forth eight scoreless outings with only three hits allowed and a total of eight strikeouts.

Ryan Weathers with a scoreless 7th inning in his first relief appearance of the season pic.twitter.com/N6sjpM4SLW

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) April 23, 2023

On the other hand, Michael Wacha has already played seven games in his first year as a starter with the Friars and is putting forth a 4.82 ERA. 

Kevin Acee followed up with his initial report of the rotation change and revealed that rest for starters is exactly what the Padres are striving for.

Ryan Weathers was always likely going to start Sunday or Monday.
It has been decided it will be Sunday, so Michael Wacha was moved back.
The Padres are trying to give their starters an “extra” day whenever possible. It worked well last year.

— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) May 12, 2023

"Ryan Weathers was always likely going to start Sunday or Monday. It has been decided it will be Sunday, so Michael Wacha was moved back. The Padres are trying to give their starters an “extra” day whenever possible. It worked well last year."

(Via Kevin Acee)

We are very excited to welcome Weathers back and hope he can continue that same firepower as of late.