The Padres on Saturday defeated the Giants 3-2 in a spring training game that included three scoreless innings from new starter Michael King.
Going into Friday, they had evened their spring record at 4-4, but they proceeded to lose twice, as split squads fell to the Brewers and the Angels in Cactus League play.
They take on the Mariners Sunday, with the Cubs, Diamondbacks and Reds to follow through Wednesday. Here’s an update on their progress as they work toward their March 20 season opener in South Korea.
Pitchers progress
King, 28, the main cog in the trade that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees, continued to progress Saturday after pitching two scoreless, one-hit innings in a loss to the Guardians last week … Joe Musgrove was having a good season in 2023 – 10-3 with a 3.05 ERA in 17 starts – until inflammation in his right shoulder capsule ended it prematurely. It’s been a rocky start for him this spring, as he’s given up five hits and eight runs in less than two innings. After his latest start, he told MLB.com he hasn’t been “landing the breaking balls in any count” and is seeing “a little inconsistency” in his delivery. But he called that “part of the progression” in spring. He returned Saturday in a ‘B’ game and told MLB that Manny Machado gave him some pointers … Yu Darvish, who also saw his 2023 season cut short due to injury, made his first start of the spring last week, sitting down the first five hitters he faced, but then giving up two hits. He told MLB.com that he wasn’t focused on “I’m going to do this or that in the game,” but on “feeling the game again.”
Injuries
Machado seems to be ahead of his recovery timeline following post-season elbow surgery. He DH’d last weekend and told MLB.com that “hitting or throwing” haven’t been an issue for him … Yuki Matsui thrilled the Padres after his Feb. 22 debut against the Dodgers, in which he struck out the side. But then back spasms set in. Tests were negative and the Japanese closer, a saves leader in Nippon Professional Baseball, returned to throwing Friday. Manager Mike Shildt told MLB.com that the team will be “judicious” about Matsui’s return.
Profar returns
Jurickson Profar is back, signed to a one-year contract. Profar, 30, split the 2023 season between the Colorado Rockies and Padres, batting a combined .242 (111-for-459) with 27 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 46 RBI and 55 runs scored in 125 games. After signing with the Padres in September of last season, the switch-hitter hit .295 over 14 games. He brings versatility – in his ’23 return, he made five appearances at first base, one at second base, six in left and two in right.
