The San Diego Padres entered the 2026 season with all sorts of questions around the starting rotation.

San Diego has been able to win games behind a top-heavy rotation, but this current plan isn't a strong recipe for success over the course of an entire season.

The team is still without right-hander Joe Musgrove as he recovers from a setback he suffered while recovering from Tommy John surgery this spring. San Diego also lost righty Nick Pivetta to an elbow injury, and both pitchers have no timeline to return.

Late last month, the Padres went out and signed veteran Lucas Giolito , and he should provide the unit with some much-needed depth.…