Padres’ veteran rotation safety net has quickly turned into a non-option

If you were to describe the absolute last things the San Diego Padres needed right now, "disappointing veteran starter" would probably rank pretty high on that list, right?

In defense of Marco Gonzales, he wasn't signed to be the rotation savior. The 34-year-old southpaw has a history of effectively eating innings, which made him a perfect low-risk flier late in the offseason. If he could merely fill in when needed, his tenure in San Diego would have been considered a success.

Unfortunately, that opportunity doesn't look like it's ever going to come, despite the Padres' lackluster starting five. Gonzales has been a downright mess in Triple-A, responsible for a 9.62 ERA across 10 starts. He's allowed at least five runs in five separate outings, and he hasn't gone more than five innings since his first two appearances this season.

Even though he likely won't pitch in San Diego, it's fair to call Gonzales one of the Friars' most disappointing offseason acquisitions.

Marco Gonzales has lost the plot in Triple-A, putting additional pressure on Padres to acquire pitching

It's true that Gonzales has never been an elite pitcher, but at least in previous campaigns, he's been able to use a deep arsenal and excellent command to limit walks and hard contact.

On that first front, he's been fine; his 8.0% walk rate is well above average in Triple-A. He's just lost all semblance of controlling the game, with a 43.2% hard-hit rate and 14.3% strikeout rate that rank in the bottom-third of all pitchers at his current level. Heck, he's allowing a .449 expected slugging percentage this year to hitters far younger and less experienced.

That's just not someone you can trust in the big leagues. As such, Craig Stammen will have to keep tossing Griffin Canning out there every fifth day. It'll also extended the leashes for Walker Buehler and Lucas Giolito, neither of whom would be starting in most other contenders' rotations.

Perhaps some salvation is on the way in the form of Jhony Brito, but that's a dubious proposition at best for a player who hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2024. Alternatively, getting either Nick Pivetta or Joe Musgrove back could change the tune around the Padres' pitching staff, though neither seems likely to return until at least the second half.

In moments like these, it'd be nice to have some veteran depth to fall back upon. Alas, Marco Gonzales' struggles have effectively rendered him a non-option in San Diego.

Reminder: we've only got two months to go before the trade deadline.

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