Trending Now - Padres Add Lucas Giolito to Strengthen Wounded Pitching Staff

WHO:

MLB Trade Rumors - Lucas Giolito is the last remaining quality free agent starting pitcher on the market.

Boston.com - Lucas Giolito signed with the San Diego Padres.

MLB Trade Rumors - Giolito is represented by CAA Sports.

WHAT:

MLB Trade Rumors - Giolito's ERA evaluators like SIERA rated his performance at 4.65 despite a 3.41 ERA in 2025.

San Diego Union-Tribune - Giolito has a career 4.30 ERA over 206 games (204 starts) across five teams: the Nationals, White Sox, Angels, Guardians, and Red Sox.

San Diego Union-Tribune - Giolito posted a 3.41 ERA over 26 starts (145 innings) for the Red Sox in 2025, marking what was considered by some measures the best season of his career.

MLB Trade Rumors - Giolito's contract includes escalators that could increase his earnings to $8 million in 2026.

San Diego Union-Tribune - Giolito can make slightly more than $7.1 million in 2026, based on a prorated portion of a $3 million guaranteed salary and $5 million in reported incentives.

San Diego Union-Tribune - Giolito must be placed on the active roster by May 16th, 2026.

San Diego Union-Tribune - The Padres entered their game against the Rockies on April 20th, 2026, with a 16-7 record, tied with the Dodgers for the lead in the National League West and the best record in Major League Baseball.

Boston.com - The Padres announced a one-year deal for Giolito with a mutual option for 2027.

MLB Trade Rumors - Giolito's contract includes a $3 million base salary and escalators up to $8 million.

MLB Trade Rumors - Giolito will start with Single-A Lake Elsinore and must be on the Major League roster within the next 25 days.

MLB Trade Rumors - The Padres transferred righty Bryan Hoeing to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster.

WHERE:

MLB Trade Rumors - Giolito will begin his tenure with the Padres at Single-A Lake Elsinore.

WHEN:

MLB Trade Rumors - Giolito's free agency extended into April 2026, with the signing announced on April 20th, 2026.

Boston.com - The Padres announced the signing on Wednesday, April 20th, 2026.

MLB Trade Rumors - Giolito's free agency extended into April 2026.

WHY:

MLB Trade Rumors - The Padres needed to bolster their rotation due to injuries to key pitchers, including Yu Darvish, who is out for all of 2026.

MLB Trade Rumors - The Padres needed to address the lack of depth in their pitching rotation, as only seven of the team's first twenty-three games had a starter pitch into the fifth inning.

San Diego Union-Tribune - Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove are expected to be out at least for the next several weeks, with the possibility that their absence extends into the summer or beyond.

MLB Trade Rumors - The Padres needed to bolster their rotation due to injuries to key pitchers, including Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and Nick Pivetta.

HOW:

San Diego Union-Tribune - The Padres turned to Matt Waldron to take Nick Pivetta’s spot in the rotation, who allowed six runs in 3⅔ innings against the Angels on April 21st, 2026.

San Diego Union-Tribune - Griffin Canning is scheduled to make his fourth rehab start for Triple-A El Paso on April 22nd, 2026, and is expected to make his Padres debut shortly after his rehab assignment ends on May 3rd, 2026.

MLB Trade Rumors - Giolito's signing is part of the Padres' strategy to address the lack of depth in their pitching rotation, as only seven of the team's first twenty-three games had a starter pitch into the fifth inning.

(UPDATED April 23, 2026 07:23 UTC)

Lucas Giolito is now the last quality free agent starting pitcher available after his signing with the San Diego Padres was announced on Monday. Despite a solid 3.41 ERA in 2025, evaluators rated his performance with a SIERA of 4.65, and he holds a career ERA of 4.30 over 206 games with five teams. The Padres sought to strengthen their rotation due to injuries to key pitchers, including Yu Darvish, who will miss the entire 2026 season.

(UPDATED April 23, 2026 04:03 UTC)

The San Diego Padres are making changes to their pitching rotation after struggling with depth, as only seven of their first twenty-three games featured a starter pitching into the fifth inning. To address this issue, they have turned to Matt Waldron to fill in for Nick Pivetta, who allowed six runs in just 3⅔ innings against the Angels on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Lucas Giolito, who posted a 3.41 ERA over 26 starts for the Red Sox in 2025, has a contract that could see his earnings rise to $8 million in 2026.

(UPDATED April 22, 2026 23:14 UTC)

The San Diego Padres are currently tied for the lead in the National League West with a strong 16-7 record, having faced the Rockies on Monday. As they navigate injuries to pitchers Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove, Lucas Giolito is set to earn over $7.1 million this season, but he must be activated by May 16th. Meanwhile, Griffin Canning is scheduled for his fourth rehab start with Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday and is expected to join the Padres shortly after his assignment wraps up May 3rd.

(UPDATED April 22, 2026 21:22 UTC)

The San Diego Padres have signed pitcher Lucas Giolito to a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2027, which was announced on Wednesday. Giolito, who is represented by CAA Sports, will start his tenure with the Padres at Single-A Lake Elsinore and must be on the Major League roster within the next 25 days, while his contract includes a base salary of $3 million that could escalate to $8 million. This move comes as the Padres look to strengthen their rotation due to injuries affecting key pitchers like Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove.