PEORIA, Ariz. -- A.J. Preller has had himself a busy week already -- and not merely because he finalized an extension to remain in San Diego as president of baseball operations and general manager on Monday.
Over a three-day span from Sunday through Tuesday, Preller added five notable players to the Padres’ spring roster, filling out needs at first base and in the rotation. In case you missed any of it, here’s a rundown of those five additions, and how they might fit:
1B/OF Nick Castellanos
Castellanos was released by Philadelphia last week, in what turned out to be a public and messy split. He expressed excitement for a fresh start upon his arrival, and the Padres seem willing to give it to him.
If Castellanos can rekindle his All-Star form from 2023, he will be one of the season’s biggest bargains, with San Diego only expected to cover the league-minimum portion of his $20 million salary. (The Phillies pay the rest.)
It’s unlikely Castellanos will receive the 550 plate appearances he’s become accustomed to, particularly with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ramón Laureano in the outfield corners. A transition to first base feels inevitable -- and Castellanos has already begun working there. He’s never played a game at first in his career, but there’s playing time available for him if he proves he can handle it.
“We want him to get hot as heck and us to be forced to put him in the lineup,” said manager Craig Stammen. “That’s the ultimate goal.”
RHP Griffin Canning
Canning, who posted a 3.77 ERA in 16 starts for the Mets in 2025, was in the midst of the best season of his career when he suffered a torn left Achilles last June. He’s expected to open the season on the IL, but he might not be there for very long.
“Honestly, I feel 100% when I’m on the mound and throwing,” Canning said. “I still have some boxes to check in terms of running and some agility.”
The race for spots at the back of the Padres’ rotation is crowded (as we’ll see in a second). Canning is not currently part of that race; he’ll need time to build up. But attrition hits every pitching staff. If Canning is ready to join the fray in late April or May, his presence could be huge.
RHP Germán Márquez
Entering the 2023 season, Márquez was one of the most durable and reliable starters in baseball. But he underwent Tommy John surgery that year, missing most of that season and the following one. His ’25 campaign was a dud. He posted a 6.70 ERA across 26 starts for Colorado.
Nonetheless, the Padres see value here. Márquez could be a classic change-of-scenery reclamation project, particularly going from one of the toughest pitching environments to one of the friendliest. He’s spent 10 solid seasons in the big leagues, though he’s still only 30 years old.
But he’ll need to earn his spot in the rotation, which is a crowded race that now includes…
RHP Walker Buehler
After years on the other side of the Padres-Dodgers rivalry, Buehler acknowledged it felt “a little weird” to wear brown and gold.
Like with Márquez, the Padres view Buehler as a buy-low candidate, and he enters camp on a Minor League deal. He hasn’t been the same pitcher since his 2022 Tommy John surgery. But he was solid down the stretch last year, posting a 2.53 ERA across his final seven outings, and he boasts an excellent track record, particularly in big games.
So… here’s where things stand in the rotation race: Nick Pivetta, Joe Musgrove and Michael King have secured the top three spots. The last two places are up for grabs, though Stammen has indicated that Randy Vásquez has “an inside track.”
That could leave Buehler, Márquez, Marco Gonzales, Triston McKenzie, JP Sears and Matt Waldron all vying for one spot. Then again, with Musgrove and King coming off injuries, that level of depth is imperative.
1B Ty France
France returns to the organization that drafted him, then traded him to Seattle at the 2020 Deadline. He enters a crowded mix at first base. But there’s one thing France has going for him, over Gavin Sheets, Miguel Andujar and Castellanos: His glove.
The other three are uncertain defensively, while France won a Gold Glove Award last season. Perhaps there’s a place for him on the bench as a defensive replacement. His versatility and ability to play second base might help that cause.
France is coming off two disappointing offensive seasons, but he’s mashed in the past. And even though he’s in camp on a Minors deal, there’s a path to a roster spot as one of the final bench pieces.