Matthew Waldron: Everything you need to know

Waldron did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Cubs, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out one over five innings. Waldron labored early, throwing 41 pitches over the first two innings and allowing five baserunners, though he limited the damage to one run on an RBI single from Miguel Amaya. The right-hander later gave up a two-run homer to Pete Crow-Armstrong in the fourth but overall turned in a more stable outing compared to his first two starts, in which he allowed six earned runs in each. While it was a step forward for the knuckleballer, his season numbers remain inflated, as he now holds a 9.88 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and an 8:5 K:BB across 13.2 innings. Waldron could be in line for a more favorable outing next time against a Giants lineup that has struggled to score runs this season.

Waldron took a no-decision Thursday against the Rockies, allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out three. Facing a stiff assignment at Coors Field on Thursday, Waldron was unable to get the Rockies off balance with his knuckleball. The 29-year-old right-hander has now yielded six runs on eight hits in both of his starts to begin the season, and it's plausible that Lucas Giolito will eventually take Waldron's spot in the rotation once he's up to speed after signing with the Padres on Wednesday. Waldron tentatively projects to take the ball next week against the Cubs.

Waldron is slated to start Thursday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field. Shelved to begin the season while completing his recovery from hemorrhoid surgery, Waldron returned from the injured list last week following a dominant minor-league rehab stint during which he tossed 12 scoreless frames and posted a 12:1 K:BB over three starts for Triple-A El Paso. The right-hander stepped into the San Diego rotation but was unable to carry over his success from the minors, taking a loss Friday against the Angels while yielding six earned runs on eight hits and one walk over 3.2 innings. Though Waldron will be handed another start, he'll be difficult to rely upon for fantasy purposes while pitching in hitter-friendly Colorado.