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Padres Shut Down Knuckleballer Matt Waldron After Minor Procedure

Out of minor-league options, he now faces IL placement as a possible path to a rehab stint.

Overview

  • Manager Craig Stammen said Waldron is week to week after a procedure to address a hemorrhoid, per reporting from Kevin Acee.
  • Waldron is the majors’ only primary knuckleballer, throwing it about 74% of the time at roughly 79 mph, according to Baseball Savant.
  • He cannot be optioned to Triple-A without first clearing waivers because he is out of options.
  • If recovery requires it, the Padres can open him on the 15-day IL and then use a 30-day minor-league rehab assignment.
  • San Diego’s rotation features Joe Musgrove, Michael King, Nick Pivetta, Germán Márquez and others, increasing uncertainty about Waldron’s role after mixed results in 2024–25.