The San Diego Padres are set to open their Spring Training schedule with a contest against the Seattle Mariners today. It will be the first opportunity for the Friar Faithful to see the 2026 players in action. There are competitions at first base, designated hitter and the starting rotation, which should make for compelling performance as spring progresses. Tat will come later, but during the first game of spring it will be nice to hear the crack of the bat and the pop of the glove that are universal signals to baseball fans that Opening Day is not far away.
Padres News:
- Prior to the flurry of moves less than a week ago, Padres fans were asked how they felt about the offseason for San Diego in a Padres Reacts Survey in mid-January. Gaslamp Ball asked the Friar Faithful if their feelings about the offseason have changed after multiple signings and the A.J. Preller extension.
- The San Diego minor league system took a lot of criticism in recent polls and was even considered the worst farm system in baseball by some. Despite that, AJ Cassavell of Padres.com believes there are four young Padres to watch during Spring Training. Cassavell also lists four position battles to watch as San Diego begins their Cactus League season.
- Craig Stammen is no stranger to Spring Training with the Padres in Peoria, Ariz. The difference this season is he will be the one calling the shots as he makes his first appearance at the helm of the Padres when they take on the Mariners later today.
- Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune took a side trip through Yuma, Ariz. on his way to Peoria, Ariz. the Padres spent 25 years training in Yuma and even trained there in 1969 when the team started leaving behind some memories of years and teams past.
- Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune believes German Marquez is reinvigorated after signing with he Padres and believes he can make an impact in the rotation he also has notes about the ABS challenge system and the San Diego approach to Ethan Salas.
- Dennis Lin of The Athletic provides his first roster projection of Spring Training and asks if the Padres have improved depth or if they are just spinning their wheels.
Baseball News:
- Pat Murphy and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed to a three-year contract extension.
- Jordan Westburg of the Baltimore Orioles is physically unable to participate in Spring Training following an oblique injury he suffered previously in Spring Training.
- Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians has won four Gold Gloves as a left fielder. It was announced Thursday that he could see time in center field.
- The Tampa Bay Rays have announced Drew Rasmussen will be their Opening Day starter.