Waldron knuckles down in bid for rotation

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Right-hander Matt Waldron provides the Padres with a unique look, at least part of the time.

If the occasional knuckleballer wins the competition for a spot in the Padres’ rotation, however, the repertoire -- as with every candidate -- will not be as important as how it plays.

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“It’s good that he has it,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “It’s a different look, which we always like for our staff. The bullpen, the starters, different looks, righty-lefty -- that always is a benefit. But, ultimately, the thing that matters the most with our pitchers is who gets out. I don’t care what you do.

“Just get them out, however you get it done.”

Which made Waldron’s first spring start Wednesday afternoon a win on multiple levels.

Waldron struck out two and gave up only one hit across three scoreless innings in the Padres’ 3-1 victory over the White Sox at Camelback Ranch. In his second appearance of the spring, he mixed eight or so knuckleballs into his fastball/cutter repertoire. He was the first Padres’ pitcher to go three innings this spring.

That followed an impressive performance on Friday, when Waldron gave up two singles in two innings of scoreless relief behind Jhony Brito against the Dodgers. Brito piggybacked on Wednesday and matched Waldron's three innings, yielding one run. Waldron, Brito and Randy Vásquez are top candidates for the final two rotation spots.

“I see it as just that, competition,” Shildt said. “We still have games left to play. A lot of people in the mix doing good things.”

Waldron and others are well aware of the stakes.

“At the end of the day, I can’t stray too far and try out crazy stuff,” Waldron said. “That’s more for the offseason. I want results right now. I’m very hard on myself sometimes. I’ve gotten outs. There might not have been as many strikeouts as I would like, but I feel like I’m doing a pretty good job.”

Waldron gave up a single to leadoff hitter Andrew Benintendi in the first inning, but the only other baserunner against him was Max Stassi, who was hit by a knuckleball with one out in the third.

Waldron got out of the third with two more knucklers -- a swinging strike three by Zach Remillard on a 77 mph pitch and a harmless flyout by Benintendi to right fielder Óscar Mercado that ended the inning.

“I love his body language,” Shildt said. “He’s on the attack the whole time. Had his pitches working. It’s good to see these guys efficient, because if you want to be a starter, be efficient.

"Guys that can give us good innings, compete and go deeper in games, that is clearly an advantage for everybody.”

Waldron came into camp building on a strong 2023 finish. He was 1-0 with a 2.65 ERA in 17 innings in his last three appearances, all starts, and struck out 16 against five walks.

He threw his knuckleball about 27% of the time in his eight big league appearances last year, according to Statcast, second to the 44% usage of his 91 mph fastball.

“I think it’s just like a really good changeup,” he said of the knuckler. “I’ve had trouble with the changeup before, just missing down with it.”

Added Shildt: “It is a big weapon for him. I’m just really thankful I don’t have to hit it.”

Waldron and Brito pitched in the same two games this spring. Brito gave up two runs in two innings against the Dodgers on Friday, one coming on a first-inning homer by Freddie Freeman.

Brito had three strikeouts following Waldron against the White Sox, who got their run when Stassi tripled to open the sixth inning and scored on a sacrifice bunt.

“Didn’t lose his composure,” Shildt said of Brito. “Got right back in there and made his pitches.”