PEORIA, Ariz. -- Michael King is healthy and ready to atone for lost time.
Eager to bounce back from an injury-riddled 2025, the star right-hander shined in his spring debut on Wednesday, fanning four and allowing just two hits in 2 2/3 innings in the Padres’ 7-3 win over the Angels.
“We had him scheduled for at least two, and then he looked so good we let him go out there for the third, so a lot of good work for him today,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said.
“He wants to pitch 200 innings and he’s made no secret of that. He's going to come out and compete for us, and we're excited about that.”
King threw 37 pitches, 26 for strikes, and averaged 93.4 mph on his trademark sinker, nearly a full tick higher than last season. The Padres' ace breezed through a nine-pitch first inning and retired the first six batters he faced before Christian Moore homered to lead off the third.
“I felt like I was in command, stayed in the strike zone, got some swing-and-miss,” King said. “Felt pretty good.”
King said he’s full-go this spring despite being limited to 15 starts last season. Shoulder and knee injuries sidelined him for June, July and nearly all of August. King made four starts in September, but wasn’t as sharp as usual, and his lone playoff appearance was a brief relief outing in the NL Wild Card Series.
The Padres’ postseason run ended there, leaving King with “unfinished business” that fueled his desire to return to San Diego in free agency. The club re-signed him to a three-year, $75 million contract in December, counting on him to be a reliable frontline starter for the next few years.
In 2024, King showed he’s capable of that -- and more -- when he finished seventh in the NL Cy Young voting. Now he’s out to do it again.
“Last year, I feel like I let the team down by only being there for 70 innings or whatever it was,” King said. “I want to prove myself again, so it was an easy [decision] to sign back here.”
Johnson rising to the challenge
Even though Bryce Johnson flourished as the Padres’ fourth outfielder last season, Stammen said he challenged him to earn his roster spot this spring.
Johnson has risen to the occasion so far, with three hits, a double and a stolen base in his first three games, playing both center and right field.
A switch-hitter, Johnson said he has been tinkering with “small but crucial things” at the plate, like trying to be more direct to the ball and reduce the dip in his left-handed swing.
“He showed up competing, looks really good, looks fast, looks dynamic out there,” Stammen said.
Marinaccio vs. Miller?
Right-hander Ron Marinaccio has turned in a pair of scoreless outings this spring as he vies for a bullpen spot and ramps up to pitch for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic.
Marinaccio was brought out for a second inning in his outing Tuesday to prepare him to throw multiple innings for Italy if needed. He is slated to join the Italians for a team workout in Mesa, Ariz., on Monday, then for exhibitions against the Cubs and Angels before heading to Houston for pool play, which includes a matchup vs. Mason Miller and Team USA on March 10.
“There's been some fun banter in the clubhouse with Mason and we're looking forward to it,” Marinaccio said. “It's just a different atmosphere for this time of year. Instead of always just trying to make the team here, it's exciting to put that focus on trying to win some baseball games and try to put my best game on the field that way.”