Under-the-radar injury at spring training could greatly affect Padres in 2025

Going into spring training, the San Diego Padres were not quite sure who would slot in as the fifth starter in the rotation. A strong staff - headlined by Michael King, Dylan Cease, and Yu Darvish - will carry the Friars this season. The addition of Nick Pivetta solidified the strength of this staff, leaving only one spot open for several arms hoping to take that spot.

Matt Waldron was the likely the man to earn the fifth spot, but following a shaky spring and an injury that will sideline him for at least a month, the final spot in the rotation is up for grabs. Waldron's left oblique strain is not an easy one to heal, so who really knows how long he will be out for. That means Kyle Hart, Stephen Kolek, and Randy Vásquez will battle it out as the fifth starter, which could impact the Padres' season greatly.

Matt Waldron's injury could greatly affect Padres in 2025

The Padres are looking to compete in the NL West division this year. It's understood that the Los Angeles Dodgers are heavy favorites to win the division, but San Diego is definitely in the hunt. If the Padres want to contend, then that means not giving away many games, especially on the mound. It's not an overreaction to say that having a bad fifth starter can really damage your season. If the Padres are down 2-0 in a three-game series, and the fifth start is slated to pitch the final game, then you'd want that guy to go out there and give the Friars a fighting chance of avoiding the sweep.

Besides the Dodgers, the NL West will be tough up and down the division, which means every game will really matter. In Waldron's absence, let's take a look at Hart, Kolek, and Vásquez to see who has the best chance of cracking the rotation.

Kyle Hart

Hart has the least amount of MLB experience among these three pitchers. Tossing 11 innings for the Boston Red Sox in 2020, Hart pitched for the NC Dinos of the KBO League last year, and was given the award for the league's best pitcher.

Now back in Major League Baseball, Hart has been solid at Padres' camp. He threw a hefty load of sweepers and sliders in his first official spring outing on March 16, allowing two runs in three innings. He tossed two scoreless innings earlier in March, but the game was not official after it was called early due to rain.

Hart hasn't thrown as much as the other two guys, and for a guy who has been away from MLB for a long time, it will be difficult to rely on him at first.

Stephen Kolek

Before Kolek hit the injured list last season in July, he was riding an impressive stretch. In 14 of his final 17 appearances, Kolek tossed scoreless baseball across 21 frames.

This spring, Kolek has shown some versatility, starting two games and relieving in two others. The sinker-baller has surrendered three runs in 12 1/3 frames. If he can continue offering up weak contact, Kolek could be the standout of landing the fifth spot.

Randy Vásquez

Vásquez has the most MLB pitching experience among the three. Last year, he started 20 games for San Diego and posted a 4.87 ERA. This spring, he hasn't been all that impressive, though. In four innings (two starts), he's gotten touched up for 12 hits.

Regardless of who the Padres elect to pitch in the fifth spot, the pressure could be on for them. It's understandable if any of the three are given a short leash if they struggle early. The Padres want to be good, and they can't afford too many clunkers.