Waldron (0-2) took the loss Friday, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk over 4.2 innings against Toronto. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

After allowing a first inning solo homer to Justin Turner, Waldron ran into a world of trouble in the second inning. The Blue Jays kept putting the ball in play, collecting five hits and four runs off the Padres starter in the inning. Waldron has pitched to the tune of a 4.74 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over his first 19 innings. His next start is scheduled to be on the road against Colorado.

Waldron allowed one run on three hits and four walks while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Waldron didn't have great control, as he threw 40 balls among his 93 pitches and issued a season-high four walks. However, he kept Los Angeles mostly at bay, surrendering just one run. The knuckleballer allowed four runs over four innings against St. Louis in his first start of the campaign but has looked much better since, giving up just two runs (one earned) over 10.1 frames across his past two starts.

Waldron did not factor in the decision Sunday after yielding one unearned run on three hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out five during the loss to San Francisco.

EDGE Analysis

After a brutal season debut, Waldron looked much better Sunday. He rolled through five shutout frames before the Giants pushed home an unearned run in the sixth. Despite the strong performance, Waldron forced just four swinging strikes on 85 pitches, with only two coming via the knuckleball. He's projected for a tough road matchup against the Dodgers next.

Waldron (0-1) took the loss against St. Louis on Monday, allowing four runs on nine hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over four innings.

EDGE Analysis

Waldron impressed in Cactus League play to win the role of fifth starter to open the campaign, but he was hit hard in his regular-season debut. Three of the Cardinals' nine hits against him went for extra bases, including Wilson Contreras' two-run homer in the first inning. Waldron did strike out seven batters in four frames, but punchouts aren't normally a big part of the knuckleballer's skill set -- he struck out less than a batter per inning at the Triple-A level across 2022 and 2023. Waldron doesn't have the longest of leashes, so he'll likely need to pitch better moving forward to hang on to a big-league rotation spot.

Waldron has won the fifth spot in the Padres' rotation, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The knuckleballer won the job after posting a 1.35 ERA and 11:0 K:BB over 13.1 Cactus League innings. Waldron was solid during a look-see with the big club last season in posting a 4.35 ERA over 41.1 innings, although that came after a 7.31 ERA at Triple-A El Paso. His leash will be short, with Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez looming as alternatives.

Waldron appears to have an inside track for a spot in the Padres' Opening Day rotation, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

While reaching the big leagues for the first time last season as a 26-year-old, Waldron made six starts for San Diego and posted so-so ratios (4.35 ERA, 4.42 xERA, 1.23 WHIP, 11.0 K-BB%) over his 41.1 total innings with the big club. The Padres lost Blake Snell, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha to free agency this winter, but after bringing in three rotation candidates in Michael King, Randy Vasquez and Jhony Brito from the Yankees in the deal that sent outfielder Juan Soto to The Bronx, Waldron still appeared to enter spring training on the outside looking in for a starting role. However, Waldron seems to have solidified his case for a rotation spot with an outstanding showing thus far in Cactus League play, as he's struck out 12 over 15.1 innings while allowing just two earned runs on 13 hits and no walks. While it may be enough for Waldron to break camp with the club, the right-hander still looks to be more of a name to keep an eye on in NL-only leagues rather than mixed leagues at this juncture, given his lack of pedigree and poor numbers at Triple-A El Paso in 2023 (7.31 ERA, 1.61 WHIP in 92.1 innings).

Waldron has allowed one run on six hits while striking out eight over nine innings through his first three Cactus League appearances.

EDGE Analysis

Waldron surrendered his first run of the spring Monday afternoon against the Cubs, but he was otherwise able to work out of danger despite giving up six hits. He's making a strong push in the early going to earn a spot as a starter, and according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, Waldron could even be the current favorite to shore up the back end of the rotation.

Waldron allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two over six innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Waldron's six innings were a season high in the majors for the 27-year-old righty in what was likely his last outing of the year. He allowed two or fewer runs in five of his eight appearances (six starts). Waldron is at a 4.35 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB through 41.1 innings in the majors after posting a 7.31 ERA in 92.1 minor-league innings this season.

Waldron allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out nine over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Waldron was strong, but didn't get enough run support to pick up the win. His lone mistake was a solo home run by Masyn Winn in the sixth inning. Waldron now has a 4.58 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB through 35.1 innings across seven appearances (five starts). The right-hander is lined up for a road outing in San Francisco next week, which would likely be his last of the season.

Waldron (1-3) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against the Athletics while striking out five.

EDGE Analysis

Waldron allowed at least one man to reach base in all six innings in which he appeared but was mostly able to pitch his way out of trouble and keep the Padres in the game. The rookie right-hander matched his season high with five strikeouts in the contest en route to recording his first career win. He has, however, allowed at least one home run in all six of his starts this season.