Despite Mike Shildt's departure from the Padres organization, the team chose to keep some of the same staff around manager Craig Stammen.
One of the key guys to stick around was pitching coach Ruben Niebla, who has been one of the key reasons why San Diego has been able to maintain such successful pitching staffs. Leading the top bullpen in the league while aiding in the development of starting pitchers.
However, in 2026, he will have to work with a weak hand with the hits that the Padres' starting rotation has seen, as one key right-hander, Dylan Cease, has departed. The team will also be without Yu Darvish, who is expected to retire.
Padres' pitching surge has a heartbeat, and it starts with Ruben Niebla
The Padres are evaluating non-roster invites, and one name that comes to mind is Triston McKenzie, who spent the majority of his career with the Cleveland Guardians. McKenzie struggled in 2025, pitching only four games with an 11.12 ERA. Not ideal. He did compliment Niebla in his development during spring training.
"I think Ruben does a great job," McKenzie said. "He knows a ton. He's known me for a long time so, that was part of my decision in terms of trying to come here and really just get back to working with somebody that I know can help me."
The Padres look to fill the back end of their rotation, specifically at the five spot. It seems likely that Randy Vasquez holds down spot No. 4, so it's up to Preller and Stammen to collaborate and reach a common decision for the final role.
JP Sears is a candidate for the final spot, but to be quite frank, it is anyone's shot to land it.
Roster decisions will start being made in the next few weeks, and it will be very interesting to see what Stammen and Niebla see in the pitchers they have at camp.