San Diego Padres: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Padres Notes: Friars Hit Jackpot, Manny Machado and Manager Disagree, Walker Buehler Not Satisfied

The 2026 Major League Baseball season officially begins Wednesday night as the San Francisco Giants host the New York Yankees live on Netflix. As for the San Diego Padres and the other 27 teams, they will have to wait a tad longer for Opening Day on Thursday, March 26 (while some will have to wait until Friday).

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Padres Finalize Opening Day Roster

There are only two days left before the San Diego Padres return to Petco Park to face the Detroit Tigers on Opening Day. The club is busy finalizing their 26-man roster to start the regular season.

Manny Machado News / MLB on ClutchPoints / March 24

3 Manny Machado bold predictions for 2026 season

Manny Machado enters the 2026 season with a track record that justifies the weight of expectation. As the San Diego Padres shape their lineup ahead of Opening Day 2026, Machado remains their unquestioned anchor, a player whose consistency, durability, leadership, and two-way impact continue to define the club’s identity.

San Diego Padres News / San Diego Padres on SI / March 24

One Trade the Padres Could Still Make Before Opening Day

The San Diego Padres are finalizing their 26-man roster for the start of the 2026 season. All the competitions have essentially been sorted out, giving the Padres little to stress about heading into Thursday's season opener against the Detroit Tigers.

Rafael Devers News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Active MLB 3+ 30-homer seasons' quiz

How many of the active Major League Baseball players to hit 30 home runs in at least three different seasons can you name in five minutes?

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San Diego Padres News / San Diego Padres on SI / March 24

3 Padres Players Who Need Solid Starts to Retain Roster Spots

There are several San Diego Padres players on the Opening Day roster who will need to have solid starts to the season in order to retain their spot. Miguel Andujar, Walker Buehler and Luis Campusano don't have a secure roster spot and will have to perform up to expectations.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

One storyline to follow for every MLB team in 2026

As Spring Training opens for 2026, all 30 teams have high hopes and big questions. These are the storylines to follow for each team heading into Opening Day.

Red Sox to sign former Yankees relief pitcher ahead of Opening Day

MLB announces 80-game suspension for Johan Rojas

Mets star gets help from former teammate after clubhouse issues

Three comeback arms to watch in National League East

Five X factors in the AL Central

MLB News / San Diego Padres on SI / March 24

Padres Should Sign Former Dodgers Star to Solidify Key Position Ahead of Opening Day

The San Diego Padres have limited options at the catcher position, which is why the team should sign former Los Angeles Dodgers star Austin Barnes. The veteran catcher was recently released by the New York Mets and would be a sufficient third-string option for the Friars.

MLB News / San Diego Padres on SI / March 24

Padres Opening Day Predicted Starting Lineup Against Tarik Skubal, Tigers

The San Diego Padres have arguably the toughest test of any team on Major League Baseball's Opening Day, as they start the season against reigning back-to-back Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal.

Jackson Merrill News / Athlon Sports / March 24

Jackson Merrill Sends Message After Padres Opening Day Decision

The San Diego Padres had one of their quieter offseasons in recent memory due to limited payroll flexibility, but the team still carries high expectations into 2026.

San Diego Padres News / San Diego Padres on SI / March 24

Walker Buehler Not Satisfied After Making Padres' Opening Day Roster

As the San Diego Padres prepare for the start of the new MLB season, the biggest question around the team has to do with the starting rotation. Not only did San Diego lose ace Dylan Cease to the Toronto Blue Jays in free agency, but injuries to Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove have placed this unit in a state of flux.

Fernando Tatis Jr. News / MLB on ClutchPoints / March 24

3 Fernando Tatis Jr. bold predictions for 2026 season

Opening Day is here! The New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants will begin the season Wednesday night on Netflix, followed by almost a full slate of baseball on Thursday.

Manny Machado News / San Diego Padres on SI / March 24

Manny Machado, Padres Manager Seem to Disagree About Star Needing Rest

As the San Diego Padres get ready to open the 2026 season, the team will be relying on a few aging stars to keep them afloat. One of these is veteran third baseman Manny Machado, who will be turning 34 years old during the season.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players that could be traded during the 2026 season

The 2026 MLB season is right around the corner, and it is never too early to start thinking about how it might unfold. Seemingly, every year, we have a decent handle on who should contend and who is likely to struggle, which makes looking ahead to the trade deadline inevitable.

Mason Miller News / San Diego Padres on SI / March 24

Padres' Mason Miller Predicted to Finish Behind Dodgers Closer in Key Stat

The San Diego Padres have arguably the best closer in baseball, but Mason Miller is predicted to finish behind Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz in one key stat.

San Diego Padres News / San Diego Padres on SI / March 24

Padres Hit Jackpot With Under-The-Radar Offseason Additions

The San Diego Padres hit the jackpot with two under-the-radar spring additions in Walker Buehler and Ty France. President of baseball operations A.J. Preller doesn't get enough credit for his work behind the scenes.

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San Diego Padres News / San Diego Padres on SI / March 24

Padres Notes: Friars Sign Veteran Pitcher, All-Star Reliever to IL, Major Opening Day News

The San Diego Padres defeated the Seattle Mariners, 10-3, on Monday afternoon in the final game of spring training. The Friars finished the Cactus League with a 15-15-1 record as they can now focus on bringing a championship to San Diego at the conclusion of the 2026 campaign.

San Diego Padres News / San Diego Padres on SI / March 23

Padres Predicted to Finish 4th in NL West in Major Disappointment

The San Diego Padres are predicted to finish fourth in the National League West this season by one MLB insider. The Friars are in baseball's best division, which includes the back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies.

San Diego Padres News / Gaslamp Ball / March 23

Standouts for Padres Spring Training 2026

Going into spring of 2026 with less uncertainty than last season, the San Diego Padres still had some questions that needed answering as well as competition for holes that needed filling.

San Diego Padres News / San Diego Padres on SI / March 23

Padres All-Star Reliever to Open Season on Injured List in Surprise Announcement

The San Diego Padres will be without one of their All-Star relievers to open the 2026 season. Right-handed pitcher Jason Adam, who ruptured his left quadriceps tendon last September, will open the season on the injured list, manager Craig Stammen announced after Monday's spring training finale.

Nick Pivetta News / Field Level Media / March 23

Padres tab RHP Nick Pivetta to starter opener vs. Tigers

Nick Pivetta will make the first Opening Day start of his career on Thursday afternoon when the San Diego Padres host the Detroit Tigers. Padres manager Craig Stammen made the announcement on Monday as the team was on the verge of ending spring training.

San Diego Padres News / MLB on ClutchPoints / March 23

Why Padres will shock MLB world and win 2026 World Series

After a 90-win season in 2025 that ended with a frustrating two-to-one loss to the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card Series, projections have stubbornly kept San Diego stuck on the treadmill of mediocrity.

Fernando Tatis Jr. News / Athlon Sports / March 22

Padres Make Fernando Tatis Jr. Decision at Spring Training

The San Diego Padres made the decision to have right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. bat first on the batting order for the first time in his ninth game of Spring Training.

MLB News / Yardbarker / March 22

Three new Yankee experiments are already failing

New York has spent considerable time and resources chasing high-upside yet unproven talent.

Yankees make necessary decision on Jasson Dominguez

Aaron Judge makes decision on playing in next WBC, 2028 Olympics

The '1999 MLB All-Star Game rosters' quiz

Ty France News / MLB Trade Rumors / March 21

Padres To Select Ty France’s Contract

The Padres have told first baseman Ty France that he has made the Opening Day roster, the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee reports. France will need to have his contract officially selected before the Padres take the field on March 26, but the team has an open space on its 40-man roster.

Walker Buehler News / MLB Trade Rumors / March 20