Padres' 5th Starter Spot Up for Grabs in Spring Training

Four pitchers vying for the final rotation spot as San Diego looks to challenge the Dodgers in the NL West

Feb. 13, 2026 at 9:47pm

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The San Diego Padres have a loaded roster heading into the 2026 season, with stars like Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Xander Bogaerts leading the way. However, the battle for the 5th starter spot in their rotation could be a key factor in shaping their season as they look to dethrone the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.

Why it matters

The Padres have a deep and talented roster, but solidifying their starting rotation will be crucial if they want to overtake the Dodgers atop the division. The 5th starter spot is up for grabs between several pitchers, and whoever wins that job could provide a major boost to the Padres' playoff aspirations.

The details

JP Sears, Matt Waldron, Triston McKenzie, and Miguel Mendez are the four main candidates for the 5th starter role. Sears has big-league experience but struggled after being traded to the Padres last year. Waldron is known for his knuckleball but needs to show improvement this spring. McKenzie has the most MLB experience of the group and could emerge as the favorite if he stays healthy. Mendez is the Padres' No. 5 prospect and could be a dark horse for the job.

  • The Padres' spring training begins in late February 2026.

The players

Manny Machado

All-Star third baseman and one of the Padres' top offensive threats.

Fernando Tatis Jr.

Superstar outfielder and one of the faces of the Padres franchise.

Triston McKenzie

Former Cleveland Guardians starter who is looking to bounce back from recent injury issues and earn a spot in the Padres' rotation.

JP Sears

Left-handed pitcher who was acquired by the Padres at the trade deadline last season and is looking to solidify his role in the rotation.

Miguel Mendez

Top-5 prospect in the Padres' system who is vying for the 5th starter job despite having no major league experience.

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What’s next

The Padres will closely monitor the performance of their 5th starter candidates throughout spring training, with the winner of that competition likely to play a key role in the team's quest to dethrone the Dodgers in the NL West.

The takeaway

The battle for the Padres' 5th starter spot is a critical storyline to watch this spring, as the winner could provide a major boost to the team's rotation and playoff aspirations as they look to challenge the Dodgers' dominance in the NL West.