Padres News: Knuckleballer Making MLB Debut, Discusses Call Up

Matt Waldron will be on the mound for your Frairs

The San Diego Padres made some noise on Friday when they decided to call up 26-year-old long-time minor leaguer Matt Waldron. 

Waldron, famously known for his knuckleball, a pitch the league has not seen in a long time, will make the start for the Friars on Saturday against the Washington Nationals. 

Welcome to The Show, Matt Waldron! pic.twitter.com/LPUmCtVOSm

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 24, 2023

Lining up behind Matt Waldron in his Major League debut 👏#BringTheGold pic.twitter.com/c3FRPnPkLW

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 24, 2023

Waldron made his way to San Diego on Friday and discussed how he found out he will be going to the big leagues. 

Matt Waldron, who will make his MLB debut tomorrow for the Padres, talks about finding out he was going to the Major Leagues for the first time: pic.twitter.com/um2V5v7riK

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) June 23, 2023

“It fulfilled the dream I’ve had my whole life... I don’t even know if it’s hit yet.”

In 14 games with the Padres Triple-A team, he has a 7.02 ERA, 1-6 record, 75 strikeouts, and a 1.65 WHIP in 12 starts and 66.2 innings pitched. One of the Padres' hottest pitchers, Michael Wacha, was scheduled for the start, but he's started to deal with right shoulder fatigue. Padres skipper Bob Melvin decided to give him the day off, which caused the call-up for Waldron. 

The righty knuckleball thrower will be the first to throw one since Mickey Jannis did with the Baltimore Orioles in 2021.

We wish the righty pitcher the best in his MLB debut. Hopefully, it's one to remember; good luck, Matt!