Despite the San Diego Padres entering the 2026 season with all sorts of questions around the starting rotation , the team has still found ways to win ball games. Before the season started, San Diego lost Yu Darvish for the year due to elbow surgery and Joe Musgrove to a setback in his recovery from Tommy John . This added a lot of questions around the starting group, but others have stepped up this season. The Padres have gotten nice starts to the year from Randy Vásquez and Michael King, while the veterans in the back of the rotation have done their jobs. But despite the success that the Padres have seen from the starters so far, it's not enough for pitching coach Ruben Niebla. Niebla reflected on the season so far, discussing the state of the starting rotation. “I am pleased — never satisfied," Niebla said to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The Padres were dealt another blow when ace Nick Pivetta was diagnosed with a flexor strain in his elbow.…