MICHAEL WACHA NEWS

Likely out until August Wacha (shoulder) has resumed playing catch, but manager Bob Melvin said the hurler is unlikely to return to the Padres in July, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

Impact Wacha is expected to throw on flat ground a few more times before getting on a mound, and he may need a rehab assignment after that since he hasn't pitched in a game since July 1. The right-hander had his turn skipped in the rotation prior to that July 1 start due to the same shoulder issue that resulted in his placement on the IL, so he's thrown from a mound just once over the past month. Melvin mentioned the Padres' approach of extending the pitcher's return timeframe in order to ensure that they "get a healthy Michael Wacha."

JULY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

MLB trade deadline: 9 prominent players who could be dealt; potential team fits

The MLB trade deadline is Aug. 1. Who could be dealt, and where to? Shohei Ohtani and Paul Goldschmidt headline our list of nine impact play...

JULY 18, 2023

Not yet throwing Wacha (shoulder) said Sunday that he hasn't resumed playing catch since landing on the 15-day injured list July 4, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Impact Despite having failed to initiate a throwing program since being shut down with right shoulder inflammation, Wacha said he still hopes to make a start during the Padres' road series in Toronto or Detroit, but manager Bob Melvin seemed to dismiss that as a possibility. According to 97.3 The Fan San Diego, Melvin intimated that the earliest Wacha would return from the IL would be "at home," presumably referring to the Padres' homestand that begins July 24. Even if Wacha is cleared to play catch in the coming days, he'll likely then need to complete at least one multi-inning simulated game or minor-league rehab start before the Padres are comfortable activating him.

JULY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Padres designate Nelson Cruz for assignment, place Michael Wacha on IL

The Padres designated veteran slugger Nelson Cruz for assignment and placed right-hander Michael Wacha on the 15-day injured list.

JULY 4, 2023

Struggling Padres designate Cruz for assignment and place Wacha on injured list

The underperforming San Diego Padres designated Nelson Cruz for assignment and placed right-hander Michael Wacha on the 15-day injured list with shoulder inflammation

JULY 4, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Padres DFA Nelson Cruz, put Michael Wacha on IL The San Diego Padres designated seven-time All-Star Nelson Cruz for assignment and placed starting right-hander Michael Wacha (shoulder) on...

JULY 4, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Cruz designated; Wacha (shoulder) placed on IL Veteran Nelson Cruz was designated for assignment by the Padres, among a flurry of moves announced by the team on Tuesday. The club also pla...

JULY 4, 2023 • MLB.COM

Placed on 15-day IL Wacha was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to July 2, with right shoulder inflammation.

Impact Wacha has been battling shoulder fatigue in recent weeks, though he was able to deliver five innings of one-run ball this past Saturday against the Reds to earn his eighth win of the season. He'll be eligible to return to the Padres' rotation shortly after the All-Star break.

JULY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Padres Daily: All-Star snubs might seem silly, but they're worth exploring; Adrián Morejón steps up Padres have two All-Stars, could make the argument for more; a discipline problem in finale against Reds

JULY 3, 2023 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Earns eighth win Wacha (8-2) earned the win Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over five innings against the Reds while striking out four.

Impact Wacha managed to pitch his way out of trouble for most of the afternoon and earn his eighth win despite allowing the leadoff man to reach base in four of his five innings of work. The right-hander has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in 10 consecutive starts dating back to April 26 against the Cubs while winning six of his last seven decisions (spanning nine starts). He'll look to keep that momentum going next weekend when the Padres take on the Mets in San Diego.

JULY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set to start Saturday Wacha (shoulder) is slated to start Saturday's game against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Impact Wacha will return to the mound for his first outing since June 19, but he was able to avoid landing on the injured list after his sore right shoulder responded well to a bullpen session Thursday. Before picking up the shoulder issue, Wacha had been in the midst of one of the best runs of his career. Over his last nine starts, Wacha has covered at least six innings on eight occasions while pitching to a 1.14 ERA and 0.81 WHIP during that stretch.

JULY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Padres notes: Michael Wacha, Yu Darvish likely to follow Seth Lugo against Reds; smoke show; Fernando Tatis Jr. gets some rest Wacha and Darvish in line to rejoin rotation in coming days; Padres, Pirates play in bad air; Joe Musgrove grinds through another quality st...

JUNE 30, 2023 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Throwing bullpen session Wacha (shoulder) is throwing a bullpen session Thursday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Impact If the workout goes well, Wacha should be able to slot back into the Padres' starting rotation during their three-game weekend series in Cincinnati. He was skipped on his last turn Saturday versus the Nationals due to right shoulder fatigue.

JUNE 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Padres notes: Juan Soto vs. the wall, Michael Wacha's optimism, Matt Waldron's mix Left knee takes brunt of collision with wall but Juan Soto remains in game; Michael Wacha throwing, improving each day as he eyes Friday ret...

JUNE 26, 2023 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

To be skipped in rotation Wacha will bave his turn in the rotation skipped Saturday against the Nationals due to shoulder fatigue, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Impact Wacha is expected to miss just one start before returning to the Padres' rotation in his usual spot, which lines up to be June 30 against the Reds. Matt Waldron will be promoted from Triple-A El Paso on Saturday to make a spot start against the Nationals.

JUNE 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pitches well again in no-decision Wacha allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings in a no-decision against San Francisco on Monday. He did not strike out any batters.

Impact Wacha was far from overpowering in the outing -- he notched just three whiffs and didn't strike out any batters -- but he still managed his fourth straight quality start. The right-hander kept the Giants off the scoreboard for four frames before giving up a solo homer in each of the fifth and sixth innings. Wacha improved his ERA to 2.90 with the performance, and that mark is a remarkable 1.14 since the start of May. The veteran has also posted a 0.81 WHIP and 46:16 K:BB over 55.1 innings over nine starts during that span.

JUNE 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Another scoreless effort Wacha (7-2) allowed four hits and a walk while striking out five over 6.2 shutout innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Guardians.

Impact Wacha was excellent, and he's logged 12.2 consecutive scoreless innings over his last two starts. This is the seventh time this season he's limited opponents to one run or less, and six of those have been scoreless efforts. He's been scored on in just three of his last eight outings. The veteran right-hander now has a 2.89 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 69:21 K:BB through 74.2 innings over 13 starts. Wacha is lined up to make his next start on the road in San Francisco.

JUNE 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wacha earns 7th win; Tatis and Machado homer in Padres 5-0 victory

Michael Wacha pitched seven shutout innings and Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado hit two of San Diego’s four solo homers in the Padres’ 5-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians

JUNE 15, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Michael Wacha remains a 'coup' as Padres blank Guardians Four home runs, stellar defense back another strong start from Michael Wacha as the Padres clinch series against Cleveland Guardians

JUNE 15, 2023 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Blanks Seattle for sixth win Wacha (6-2) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two hits and a walk over 6 scoreless innings against the Mariners. He struck out seven.

Impact Wacha is now 4-1 with a sparkling 1.05 ERA over his last seven starts. Following a rocky April, his ERA is down to 3.18 with a 1.09 WHIP and 64:20 K:BB through 12 starts (68 innings) this season. The 31-year-old Wacha has excelled at limiting solid contact so far this year -- his 31 percent hard-hit rate ranks in the 88th percentile among qualified pitchers. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Guardians in his next outing.

JUNE 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dominant run ends Wacha (5-2) took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks over 4.2 innings against the Cubs. He struck out eight.

Impact For the first time since April 20, Wacha didn't complete five innings, as he struggled with command, walking a season-high five batters. The eight strikeouts provided some relief, but he ended up taking his second loss of the season. Wacha has been all over the place this season, posting a 0.84 ERA in May following his 6.75 ERA in April. He should settle in near his career ERA of 4.00.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Posts fifth straight quality start Wacha did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits over 7 innings against the Yankees. He struck out four.

Impact Wacha continued his domination in May, finishing the month with a 3-0 record to go along with a 0.84 ERA and 7.3 K/9 through five starts (32.0 innings), all of which were quality starts. However, his streak of starts without allowing a home run came to an end at four, as Wacha gave up a solo homer to DJ Lemahieu in the seventh. Though Wacha is generally known for his run prevention, he has flashed elite upside in the strikeout department, collecting double-digit K's twice this season. He will have another opportunity to put up gaudy punchout numbers in his next projected start, which comes against the Cubs who strike out the fifth most in MLB.

MAY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wacha (0.84 ERA in May) for NL Pitcher of the Month? NEW YORK -- OK, so maybe this wasn’t exactly how the Padres drew up their starting-rotation plans in late February. When they signed Michael...

MAY 27, 2023 • MLB.COM

Padres Daily: Now do it again; Wacha stoppa; Going against Gore; Tatis makes nothing fun Michael Wacha wins again; Padres' former top prospects will meet Tuesday; Odor steps up

MAY 22, 2023 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Tosses six shutout frames Wacha (5-1) allowed five hits and a walk over six innings Sunday, striking out four and earning a win over Boston.

Impact Every hit allowed by Wacha was a single and he didn't find himself in much trouble Sunday. After posting an ugly 6.75 ERA in April, the veteran righty has been terrific in May. He's given up just one run through 25 innings this month, lowering his season ERA to 3.58 across 50.1 frames. Wacha's next start is currently lined up to be in New York against the Yankees.

MAY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE