Padres’ final rotation opening may not be much of a mystery anymore

The Padres starting rotation was definitely the biggest weakness heading into spring training, and as a matter of fact, it still is. But on a positive note, it seams as if the Padres have four of their five starting spots filled heading into opening day.

Nick Pivetta will headline the front-end as the team’s ace to start the season, after compiling a 2.87 ERA in 2025. He will be followed by Michael King, who signed a three-year, $75 million contract to remain with the organization.

Jose Musgrove, who missed the entirety of 2025 with Tommy John Surgery, seems to be the guy to fill in the third spot in the middle of the rotation. In 2024, he posted a 3.23 ERA, and showed that he is still in peak form.

Randy Vasquez, who struggled for the majority of 2025, will be relied upon once again to hold down the No. 4 spot in the rotation. After a solid spring training, Preller and Stammen are rolling the dice once again.

Padres’ final rotation decision is starting to look like Germán Márquez’s job

However, the fifth spot is yet to be determined, and while many believe it could be JP Sears, a new front runner is beginning to take shape.

Germán Márquez, who put up a dismal 2025 campaign with the league’s worst Colorado Rockies, was signed by San Diego on a one-year deal worth around $1.75 million. In spring training, he hasn’t exactly put up the stats, but provides a veteran presence in the group.

Over the course of five innings, Márquez has allowed three runs on six hits, and compiled an ERA of 5.40.

This decision won’t be easy for Preller and company, but it seems as if Márquez is the new front runner. There is belief that he can improve in a pitcher friendly ball park, which Petco is known to be. It is just a matter of if he can return to his old form.