San Diego Padres
· 2026-06-25
The San Diego Padres may soon receive a much-needed pitching boost as German Marquez nears a return to the rotation after nearly two months away.
Marquez has been sidelined since May 3 with right forearm nerve irritation, but his rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso has put him close to major league consideration.
The right-hander has made five appearances for the Chihuahuas and posted a 2.12 ERA, giving San Diego a sign that his arm is responding.
The timing holds significance for the Padres, who are chasing the Los Angeles Dodgers and require rotation depth, especially with the schedule tightening and every division series becoming more important.
San Diego signed Marquez to a one-year deal before the season with the hope that he could provide veteran stability.
If healthy, the right-hander will lengthen a staff that needs reliable innings, and his return would also give the front office more flexibility before the deadline.
The Padres are currently 7th in the National League with a 41-37 record, on a W2 streak, after winning 7-6 vs Atlanta Braves on 2026-06-24.
Forearm issues always create concern for pitchers, but five rehab outings without a reported setback represent progress.
San Diego still needs to see how Marquez responds to his final buildup steps, but the path toward a return is becoming clearer.
The Padres' equation is straightforward: if Marquez finishes his rehab cleanly, San Diego could soon add a proven arm for one of its most important stretches of the NL West race.
And with the Dodgers in their sights, the Padres are looking to make a push for the top spot in the division.
But for now, they'll have to wait and see how Marquez's return plays out.
So the focus remains on the upcoming games and how the Padres can capitalize on Marquez's potential return.