The San Diego Padres are getting ready to take on the Los Angeles Angels in a three-game series. The Padres are in the middle of an eight-game winning streak after finishing off back-to-back series sweeps. The team has now won four consecutive series, and 10 of its last 11 contests.
They have done so despite costly injuries that could potentially affect their season down the road. However, the team’s opening matchup against the Angels could be significant as it will feature the first start of the season for right-handed pitcher Matt Waldron. Waldron, who started 26 games for the Padres in the 2024 season, has had an up-and-down MLB career, but has shown signs of improvement in his brief minor league outings this season.
With the team elevating Waldron to the active roster, they had to send a pitcher back down to the minor leagues.
San Diego Padres Announce Roster Move
The San Diego Padres (via X) wrote: “We have reinstated RHP Matt Waldron from the 15-day IL and optioned RHP Alek Jacob to Triple-A El Paso.”
Jacob was elevated to the active roster before the first game of the series against the Seattle Mariners. The Padres reliever made one appearance, as he pitched two innings against the Mariners in Wednesday’s dramatic 7-6 comeback victory. Jacob earned the win as he did not allow a run during his two innings. He struck out three batters, allowing only one walk and one hit.
Jacob’s return to the El Paso Chihuahuas was likely always the plan, as the Padres did not see any reason to promote Waldron before his scheduled start day. Instead, the plan was for Jacob to provide another option out of the bullpen, while utilizing the spot on the roster that was vacated as pitcher Nick Pivetta was placed on the 15-day injured list.
Jacob still has one option left after this season. In 53 innings with the Padres, Jacob has a 3.91 ERA. He struggled during the 2025 season as he had a 5.13 ERA across 29 outings.
Padres vs Angels
Regarding Matt Waldron’s first start of the season, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune wrote: “The knuckleballer threw 12 scoreless innings across three rehab starts, striking out 12 against one walk. He has a 4.86 ERA in 192⅔ innings in the majors, but he made just one start last year (4⅔ IP, 4 ER). Waldron faced the Angels in 2024, striking out four over 6 ⅓ innings of one-run ball in a no-decision. He is taking the injured Nick Pivetta’s spot in the rotation.”
Meanwhile, the team will face off against right-handed pitcher José Soriano, who has gotten off to an incredible start this season. In four starts this season, Soriano has a 0.33 ERA and a 4-0 record in 27 innings. He leads all qualified pitchers in WAR, ERA, ERA+, WHIP, and hits allowed per nine innings. He did not allow an earned run against the Padres in seven innings last season. Out of the Padres roster, only Manny Machado has hit a home run off Soriano.
Padres Demote Pitcher to Minor Leagues After Win Against Mariners