Padres’ Matt Waldron undergoes hemorrhoid surgery, Opening Day uncertain

San Diego Padres pitcher Matt Waldron could start the season on the injured list after being hospitalized for several days and undergoing surgery to treat hemorrhoids to treat an infection, manager Craig Stammen told reporters Tuesday.

Stammen said the 29-year-old pitcher will hopefully be released soon, but that will depend on the tailgating process.

“He had an infection in his rear and had to have surgery to drain it and improve it,” Stammen said, via the San Diego Union-Tribune. “…He will come out week to week, depending on how that incision heals and how he feels when moving.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club

Stammen said Waldron was in such a good position before the injury, and in his only spring training start, his speed was high and his knuckleball was working. In that start, he pitched two scoreless innings and struck out two batters.

San Diego Padres pitcher Matt Waldron (61) poses during spring training photo day in Peoria, Arizona, February 18, 2026. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)

Waldron, an 18th round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, made one big league appearance in 2025, pitching 4.2 innings while allowing four earned runs, striking out three batters and walking six batters. In Triple-A last season, he had a 6.67 ERA over 18 starts and 82.1 innings.

Waldron appeared in 36 games over three seasons, all with the Padres. He is 8-15 with a 4.86 ERA in 192.2 career major league innings.

San Diego Padres pitcher Matt Waldron (61) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 30, 2025. (Eric Hartline/Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP

With Waldron out, pitchers Randy Vasquez, Walker Buehler, German Marquez, JP Sears, Triston McKenzie and Marco Gonzales must battle for the final two spots in the Padres’ starting rotation.

Related article