Padres' embarrassing 2-game stretch vs. former pitchers emphasizes regretful decisions

If you are a former San Diego Padre pitcher, and you just played them this past week... well, it was a good week for you. In the last two games, the Friars were held to one run both times - once against the Washington Nationals, and once against the Cincinnati Reds.

While the Padres' offense got a bit exposed in these games, what makes it even more painful is that it came against two pitchers who were once part of the San Diego organization. On Friday night, right-hander Nick Martinez carried a no-hitter in the ninth inning against the Padres, and All-Star hopeful MacKenzie Gore tossed six strong innings despite getting the loss.

As the Padres' pitching injuries continue to pile up, should they regret letting both Gore and Martinez go?

Martinez, who is in his second year with Cincinnati, saved his best start of the 2025 season for his former team. He lasted eight innings, striking out six batters while picking up his first win in his last five outings.

Martinez is not having his greatest season ever, but his mid-3.00 ERA in each of the last three seasons causes a bit of a sting that he is no longer with San Diego. This season, his WHIP sits at 1.16, which is well above-average. The Friars would definitely benefit from having a guy like that.

As for Gore, he was tabbed with the loss on Wednesday night against the Padres, but he allowed just one run on five hits with six punch-outs. Gore boasts a 3.09 ERA this year with a league-high 129 strikeouts as one of the top starters in the National League.

Gore was part of the 2022 trade that sent Juan Soto to the Padres, which obviously did not last long. Gore was packaged with James Wood and CJ Abrams, who also put their foot on the Padres' neck this past week. Wood had six RBIs and three runs in the series against San Diego, and Abrams added five hits and three runs scored.

It's interesting to think where the Padres would be this season if they hung on to one or both of Nick Martinez and MacKenzie Gore. Those two sure made it hurt this past week to not have them anymore.