DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 20: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons plays against the Charlotte Hornets at Little Caesars Arena on December 20, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Troy Weaver vindicated? The Detroit Pistons are facing an incredibly dangerous Charlotte Hornets team, and a bunch of that credit must go to head coach Charles Lee. He’s gotten his team to buy in, unlocked its mishmash of high-level offensive talent, and the Hornets have gone from cute story to real danger climbing up the standings in the East. Lee, of course, was the head coach candidate whom Troy Weaver wanted to hire two years ago before he was overruled by Pistons owner Tom Gores and Vice Chairman Arn Tellem, who forced Detroit’s general manager to hire Monty Williams instead. We all know how that worked out.
The Hornets enter tonight looking for the franchise’s first 10-game winning streak since 1998, which is also the last time the team had a 50-win season. The Hornets started too slowly to reach 50 wins this season, but they are a better team than their record suggests, and this performance is no mirage. While they are justifiably known for that potent offense, which has been the best in the NBA during the team’s nine-game win streak, the defense is no pushover. Over that same span, it ranks fifth in the NBA, one spot better than the Pistons. Detroit will likely need to win with its defense, as it has all season, but will need to do so without Ron Holland, who is out tonight for personal reasons.
Detroit loves a statement game this season, and hopefully, they realize this can be one of them.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina How: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons -2.5
LOS ANGELES — Before the Lakers’ victory over the Warriors, president of basketball operations/general manager Rob Pelinka told a handful of beat reporters the team would likely fill its 15th and final open roster spot after doing its “due diligence”.
A few hours later, the Lakers solidified how they wanted to use the roster slot by signing Kobe Bufkin to a two-year contract with a team option for the 2026-27 season in a move that may have gone under the radar since it was first reported late on a Saturday night and became official during Sunday’s Super Bowl.
While the Lakers could’ve gone in different directions for filling out their roster, signing Bufkin was the right move.
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Kobe Bufkin to a two-year contract, solidifying their final roster spot. NBAE via Getty Images
Before even getting into what makes Bufkin worthy of being a full-time NBA player — and how he is likely outside the regular rotation for the remainder of this season — the Lakers’ other opportunities for their final roster spot needs to be addressed.
Because most times a roster or personnel move is made, there are, naturally, statements that fit into the “would’ve, could’ve, should’ve” narrative.
Yes, the Lakers could’ve tried to sign someone off the buyout/midseason free agency market.
Cam Thomas, who’s since signed with the Bucks after being waived by the Nets, and Haywood Highsmith, who like Thomas was also waived by the Nets last week, were popular names tied to the Lakers.
But individually, both players either didn’t fit or came with their own risks.
Charlotte Hornets guard Sion James, left, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bufkin defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 15. AP
For as talented as Thomas is, and his skillset is evident in the 21.4 points he’s averaged over the last three seasons, did the Lakers need a score-first, smaller guard who’s a liability on the defensive end of the floor? And unlike Bufkin, the team signing Thomas (the Bucks in this case) would either need to have or open up a spot in the rotation so Thomas could receive regular playing time. With Austin Reaves back in the lineup and the trade for Luke Kennard, the Lakers simply don’t have a need for what Thomas brings.
Highsmith would’ve been a tantalizing option, with the 6-foot-5 forward having a skillset (high-level perimeter defense, 38.8% shooting on 3-pointers the last two seasons) and motor the Lakers lack. But Highsmith has yet to play this season after having surgery in early August to repair a meniscal tear in his right knee — a procedure that was originally supposed to sideline him for eight-to-10 weeks.
The critiques about the Lakers’ options besides signing Bufkin highlight a bigger point: the buyout/midseason free agency market rarely provides players who’ll have a positive impact on a team’s chances of making noise in the playoffs, let alone contend for the championship.
Kobe Bufkin and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers shake hands before the game against the LA Clippers on January 22. NBAE via Getty Images
The team’s last two signings off the buyout market — Spencer Dinwiddie in 2024 and Alex Len last year — are usually how those types of midseason additions impact a team compared to Markieff Morris’ run with the 2020 Lakers that won the NBA title.
In Bufkin, the Lakers are getting a 22-year-old guard who they had interest in drafting in 2023 before he was taken by the Hawks, two spots ahead of the Lakers using the No. 17 pick to select Jalen Hood-Schifino.
As the No. 15 pick in 2023, Bufkin not only has the pedigree but also the size (6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan) to be successful in the NBA. Success in the G League doesn’t translate to success in the NBA, but the way Bufkin played for the Lakers’ South Bay G League affiliate shouldn’t be overlooked. He’s also shown he’s willing to step up his play defensively.
The Lakers have seen multiple younger or lesser-experienced players they’ve invested in have positive impacts on their next team after the Lakers decided not to see that investment through — with Jordan Goodwin being the latest example after they waived him over the summer to become salary cap compliant before signing Marcus Smart.
By signing Bufkin, the Lakers give themselves an opportunity to see what they can get out of their investment on a talented, young and inexpensive player — an especially important factor in the modern NBA with how punitive the salary cap aprons are for team building.
Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Arnold speaks during an an end of season press conference at American Family Field in Milwaukee, October 10, 2023. | Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Matt Arnold has certainly earned the benefit of the doubt.
In his time as the Brewers’ general manager, he’s swung a few trades that have worked out swimmingly for the Brewers. One of those happens to be last offseason’s trade for Caleb Durbin, who became an integral part of a team that led the league in wins and made it to the NLCS. Last month, it seemed like he might even be the third baseman of the future. Instead, he’ll be in a Red Sox uniform on opening day.
Maybe Arnold and the Brewers front office wanted to sell high on a player who wasn’t widely seen as a long-term starter before the 2025 season. Maybe they identified red flags in his profile. Maybe they’re looking at their loaded farm system and thinking they can survive without him.
The return for Durbin, Monasterio, and Seigler — Kyle Harrison, David Hamilton, and Shane Drohan — could look really good in a couple of years. It doesn’t really look great right now. Harrison, a left-handed pitcher, is a former top-25 prospect and clearly the main piece in the deal. Hamilton, an infielder, had a great 2024, but he probably won’t be anything Durbin — or even Monasterio — wasn’t. He hit under .200 last year. Drohan, also a lefty, does have an intriguing profile. He’s also 27, has a career 4.29 ERA in the minors, and had a rough season last year after returning from shoulder surgery.
There has to be something coming.
Who’s going to play third base? Would the Brewers move Joey Ortiz back to third? That would mean, one way or another, that they’re confident in Jett Williams’ (who has yet to make his major league debut) ability to become an everyday contributor next year. Maybe they think Andrew Fischer and Jesus Made are closer to ready than it currently seems. Maybe Sal Frelick has secretly been taking (more) reps at third base. Maybe Ryan Braun has spent the last 20 years fielding grounders at third and is about to pull a Philip Rivers in hopes of seeking redemption. Or maybe, just maybe, there’s another move coming.
Maybe it’s a trade for Isaac Paredes. Or a trade for Alec Bohm. Maybe it’s some AAAA guy most fans haven’t heard of, and maybe that guy will end up hitting .270 and leading the league in hit by pitches.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 27: Pat Spencer #61 of the Golden State Warriors and Cam Spencer #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies look on during the game on October 27, 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With just two games left before the NBA All-Star Break, the Golden State Warriors return to the Chase Center to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. The game will be played at 7:00 PM PT in San Francisco and can be watched on NBC Sports Bay Area.
Golden State split its recent two-game road trip following Saturday’s 105–99 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The effort was there, and the Warriors competed on both ends throughout the night. However, playing without Stephen Curry for the third straight game, the offense once again had to lean heavily on perimeter shooting — an area where the team struggled mightily, going just 14-of-51 from three (27.5%) on the night.
Moses Moody was one of the few bright spots offensively, leading the Warriors with 25 points, including five made threes.
It’s expected to be another shorthanded matchup for both sides of tonight’s game. Curry and newly acquired Warriors’ big man Kristaps Porzingis are not expected to return until after the All-Star Break, while Memphis will also be without star point guard Ja Morant.
Warriors are 8.5-point favorites tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies at Chase Center. Stephen Curry (runner's knee) and Kristaps Porzingis (left Achilles tendon management) out with Seth Curry (sciatica) for Golden State. Ja Morant/Zach Edey among those out for Memphis.
While playing with a depleted roster following last week’s trade deadline, several Warriors have stepped into larger roles, including Pat Spencer. The former two-way guard was signed to a standard NBA contract prior to Saturday’s game against the Lakers and rewarded the team with 14 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and a steal in his spot start.
Spencer has provided valuable depth throughout the season, and his downhill pressure at the rim should continue to create the paint touches and perimeter opportunities that head coach Steve Kerr has emphasized during this stretch. Not to mention, he’ll get a chance to play against his brother, Cam Spencer, as Golden State looks to bounceback against a Grizzlies team that has a 2-8 record over their last 10 games.
Steve Kerr on Pat Spencer earning a standard NBA contract with the Warriors for the rest of the season:
“Thrilled to have Pat. The impact he has on our team, whether he’s play or not is pretty profound… you see what happens when we give him real opportunities.” pic.twitter.com/TgkIya5aSv
Middlesbrough took over at the top of the Championship as an impressive first-half performance secure a 2-1 victory at Sheffield United.
Goals from Tommy Conway and Riley McGree during the opening 45 minutes proved to be crucial, taking Boro two points clear of Coventry at the top after a sixth successive win.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 19: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on January 19, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BOSTON — Jayson Tatum is practicing with the Maine Celtics on Monday as he continues to recover from an Achilles rupture he suffered last week, the Celtics shared in an official press release.
Tatum will be assigned to participate in portions of the Maine Celtics practice at the Auerbach Center this afternoon. Following this practice, Tatum will be immediately recalled to the Boston Celtics, where he will continue his rehab process. Fellow Celtics players Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams are joining Tatum at practice.
It’s been almost 9 months since Tatum first suffered the injury, and the Celtics have never offered a recovery timeline.
It’s not unusual for athletes to be assigned to their G-League affiliate as they near a full recovery; earlier this year, for example, LeBron James practiced with the Los Angeles Lakers’ G-League affiliate, and five days later, he made his season debut as he recovered from an offseason bout of sciatica.
Similarly, Kristaps Porzingis practiced with the G-League last fall as he rehabbed an offseason ankle surgery, and six days later, made his season debut.
That doesn’t mean that Tatum’s return is just a week away — but it does open the door for that possibility.
Last week, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said that Tatum still has “a ways to go.”
“When it’s right, then we’ll all sit down and talk about it,” Stevens said. “There’s still no force from us. There’s no pressure from us. But there’s also not gonna be any of us saying, ‘Well, why doesn’t he just take another week?’ When he’s ready, he’s ready.”
Without Tatum, the Celtics are 34-19, owners of the Eastern Conference’s third-best net rating.
Courtney Williams and Saniya Rivers will be wearing new Unrivaled jerseys come next weekend. | Getty Images
Unrivaled, a league full of firsts, has announced the second trade—and first in-season trade—in league history.
On Monday morning, the league announced that Courtney Williams has been traded from Vinyl BC to Breeze BC, Saniya Rivers from Hive BC to Vinyl BC and Azurá Stevens from Rose BC to Hive BC. The trade comes in the wake of Aari McDonald’s season ending right leg injury; McDonald had only played one game for Breeze.
The conditions of the four-club deal are definite yet confusing. Per Unrivaled’s announcement, Breeze doesn’t seem to be forfeiting anything for Williams. The league also didn’t announce anyone going to Rose in return for Stevens. However, it is worth noting that Clare Duwelius serves as the lone general manager of Unrivaled; clubs do not have individual GMs. Transactions, thus, do not abide by the typical protocol or processes of WNBA trades.
The first Unrivaled trade came prior to Season 1, when Courtney Williams, Jackie Young, Tiffany Hayes and Natasha Cloud were swapped in a similar multi-team deal. This Season 2 deal thus makes Williams the first veteran of the 3×3 trade market.
With Breeze, Rose, Vinyl, and Hive respectively occupying spots No. 4 through No. 7 in the league’s current standings, the four-team deal doesn’t project to shake up the top of the league. However, it gives the Breeze a notable boost at the guard spot behind Paige Bueckers. That extra backcourt depth could be enough to make up some ground on the league leaders, especially considering they didn’t give up anything for Williams.
Vinyl is adding a highlight defender in Saniya Rivers, improving an already solid team defense. Vinyl is also one of the league’s tallest teams, a trend that Rivers, a 6-foot-1 guard, will fit. Vinyl, however, will have to put a larger burden of playmaking on Rhyne Howard and Erica Wheeler in the absence of Williams.
Unrivaled’s Saniya Rivers already settling in with Vinyl BC after being traded from Hive BC. 💿🖤
Stevens, now en route to the Hive, had a hot start to Unrivaled Season 2, but her production had quickly withered in the past two weeks, in part due to injury issues. Coming off a one-possession win, Hive will hope that she can reprise her scoring as they try to make a push in the waning half of the season. Ezi Magbegor is also dealing with an injury, giving Stevens a chance to inherit big minutes for her new team. Sans Stevens, Rose will have to add a developmental player if any of their players miss a game. Their current roster sits at just five players, and the developmental pool can be triggered when a team drops below five.
VILLARREAL, Spain (AP) — Villarreal scored twice in each half to hammer Espanyol 4-1 in La Liga and hand the Catalan club its heaviest defeat of the season on Monday.
The result ended a poor run which had seen Villarreal take one point from its previous three games. The win lifted it to equal on points with third-placed Atletico Madrid and seven ahead of Real Betis, although Villareal has a game in hand on both.
Georges Mikautadze gave Villarreal the lead 10 minutes before halftime when he met Tajon Buchanan's perfectly cushioned header and fired home a spectacular scissor kick.
Jose Salinas’ own goal six minutes later doubled Villarreal’s lead. Nicolas Pepe added the third five minutes into the second half when he rifled a low shot from outside the box after some skilful footwork.
Alberto Moleiro made it 4-0 five minutes later when he finished off an incisive counterattack.
Leandro Cabrera’s glancing header from a Cyril Ngonge corner with two minutes remaining was Espanyol’s only response.
Barcelona-based Espanyol has not won since before Christmas and has gone six matches without a win in the league. Monday's result marked the first time this season it conceded four goals in a game. It remained in sixth place.
Feb 7, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Utah Jazz center Jaren Jackson Jr. (20) shoots during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images
After a wonderful debut to the Jaren Jackson Jr. era of Jazz basketball, Utah continues its east-coast roadtrip against the Miami Heat tonight. Jackson Jr., who impressed with 22 points and three steals, did not play in the fourth quarter after the Jazz led by 15 points in the third quarter against the Orlando Magic.
To say that national pundits were unhappy with Utah’s tanking job on social media would be an understatement. Unlike its tanking peers, Utah has not shut-down its stars Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Keyonte George for the remainder of the season with phantom injuries. Instead, they continue to play them, but have limited their minutes in favor of developing prospects at the end of games.
Arguably, this strategy is more honest and better for the league than shutting down players like Trae Young and Anthony Davis for the rest of the season. Fans get to watch starts like Markkanen and Jackson Jr. actually play, rather than missing the chance to watch them at all. In the name of retaining the pick and improving its future, the Jazz have no other choice.
The Florida Panthers are sending an NHL-leading 10 players to the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Although there won’t be much time for those players to rest, a handful of Panthers players remaining at home will benefit from a break to rest and reset.
Whether these are players are dealing with lingering injury issues, showing signs of fatigue after three long Stanley Cup runs, or simply benefitting from the opportunity to reset and change parts of their game.
Here are three Panthers players who will benefit from the Olympic break:
Sergei Bobrovsky, G
It’s hard to be overly critical of Sergei Bobrovsky’s play this season. His numbers are sight for sore eyes with a career low .871 save percentage and a 3.13 goals-against average in 40 games, but looking at the number of games he’s played in the last three seasons and his age, it’s understandable for his play to fall off.
In the last three seasons, Bobrovsky has played 162 regular-season games out of a possible 246 and 66 playoff games. In total, he’s played 228 NHL games in a three-year span. To wit, he’s now 37 years old and on pace to play 57 games this season.
Daniil Tarasov appeared to sustain a lower-body injury in the final game before the Olympic break, and the extent of the injury is currently unknown. If he’s out long-term, Bobrovsky could be tasked with an even heavier workload. If any player needs a three-week rest, it’s Bobrovsky.
Mackie Samoskevich’s season has been odd. He started the season strongly, posting a flurry of assists, and he remains on pace to eclipse his assist total from last year, but his goal scoring is down in a major way, and it was supposed to be his calling card in the NHL.
His shot remains potent, and he’s continued to fire pucks from high-danger areas of the ice, but the puck is just not finding the back of the net. His shooting percentage is astonishingly low at 4.9 percent.
But patience is key with the 23-year-old American winger. He has the offensive tools, the defensive awareness, and the speed to be a solid middle-six winger in the NHL. A chance to reset and work on some things could benefit his game, and he can begin to work his way back up the Panthers lineup.
With all the time Aaron Ekblad has missed over the past few seasons due to injuries or suspensions, it’s hard to really narrow down exactly what Ekblad is at this stage of his career. His offensive numbers have continued to decline, but he has become a bit more potent on the defensive end, although there are still some limitations.
He and Gustav Forsling have remained the Panthers’ top defense pairing, but the duo hasn’t dominated as we’ve seen before. Whether teams have figured out how to play against them or fatigue has become a factor is unclear, but this three-week break should bode well for Ekblad.
The 30-year-old plays a physical game, so rest is a valuable part of his recovery. The Panthers need to prevent pucks from ending up in the back of their net, and although goaltending has let them down, improved play from Ekblad and the rest of the defense core would go a long way in fighting back into the playoff race.
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PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 08: Yu Darvish #11 of the San Diego Padres warms up in the outfield before a Spring Training game against the San Fransisco Giants at the Peoria Stadium on March 8, 2024 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Super Bowl always, for me, marks the transition between the end of Other Sports season and the beginning of Baseball Season. Pitchers and catchers report this week, players are already in Arizona, and it feels like we’re ready to start grinding on the 2026 season. It’s an especially exciting one, with the Mariners’ deep playoff run followed by a thrilling run by the Seahawks culminating in the highest honor in the sport.
With our minds now bending towards baseball season, what are some of the things you’ll be looking at this spring? We’ll be doing some more in-depth analysis on this later but I find it’s always helpful to crystallize what people think are the most salient issues before diving in (apparently no one cares about the battle for backup catcher as much as I do). Also, if there’s one particular hobby-horse question you’re intent on watching for this spring, do tell.
Three more days until pitchers and catchers officially report.
DETROIT (AP) — Daniss Jenkins has earned an NBA contract with the Detroit Pistons, who signed the guard on Monday after he played 42 games this season on a two-way deal.
Jenkins is averaging eight points and three assists as a key player for the Eastern Conference -leading Pistons. In seven starts, he has averaged 15.3 points, 6.7 assists and 3.1 rebounds.
The 6-foot-4 Jenkins, who is from Dallas, played in seven games last season as an undrafted free agent after playing for St. John's, Iona and Pacific.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers continue to await the results of the NBA's investigation of a business relationship between Kawhi Leonard and a California company he had an endorsement deal with.
Last September, a report by journalist Pablo Torre alleged the team violated the NBA’s salary cap rules involving a $28 million endorsement contract between Leonard and the now-bankrupt California-based sustainability services company called Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC.
Leonard has denied any wrongdoing, saying he didn't receive all of the money he was owed from the company.
The Clippers have strongly denied that any rules were broken and said it welcomed the league’s investigation, which is being run by an outside firm.
“We haven’t learned anything more than we have in September,” Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, said Monday. “We know it’s out there, we know at some point there’ll be a decision made. We very much feel the same thing that we told you back in September, that we’re on the right side of this. It really doesn’t impact anything we do on a daily basis.”
The Clippers are hosting this weekend’s NBA All-Star festivities at their year-old arena in Inglewood.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer made a $50 million investment in Aspiration, and the company and the team announced a $300 million partnership in September 2021. That was about a month after Leonard signed a four-year, $176 million extension with the Clippers.
The team ended its relationship with Aspiration after two years, saying the contract was in default. Aspiration’s co-founder, Joseph Sanberg, agreed to plead guilty in August after facing federal charges of wire fraud. Prosecutors said he defrauded investors and lenders out of $248 million, adding that “Aspiration’s financial statements were inaccurate and reflected much higher revenue than the company in fact received.”
Aspiration owed Leonard about $7 million of the $28 million deal it had with him when the company filed for bankruptcy.
“I got to look back at the books,” Leonard said last September, “but it was more than that, for sure.”
Asked if he received the money he was owed, Leonard replied, “Uh, no, but the company went belly up. It was fraud as everyone knows.”
As for the allegation that he did nothing in exchange for being paid by Aspiration, Leonard said, “I don’t think it’s accurate.”
ROME (AP) — Donyell Malen scored in each half as Roma beat Cagliari 2-0 and stayed in touch with the chasing pack at the top of Serie A on Monday.
Leader Inter Milan was eight points clear of city rival AC Milan and nine ahead of reigning champion Napoli. Roma was three points further back along with Juventus.
Dutch center forward Malen had scored only once in four appearances since joining on loan from Aston Villa in January and he proved his worth on Monday with two excellent finishes.
He ran on to a clever through ball from Gianluca Mancini and his deft chip over the goalkeeper was equal to the set-up pass.
His second was more of a poacher’s effort as he got on the right side of a packed defense to turn in a low cross 20 minutes after the break.
The result served as a confidence booster ahead of next weekend’s crunch tie at Napoli.
Cagliari, which was seeking a fourth consecutive Serie A win for the first time in more than a decade, remained 12th.
Atalanta beats Cremonese
Atalanta moved to within two points of the European places after beating Cremonese 2-1.
Atalanta was unbeaten in its last seven league matches and in seventh spot, two points behind Como and seven behind Roma and Juventus.
Nikola Krstovic put Atalanta ahead after 13 minutes when he got on the end of a nice cross from Giacomo Raspadori. Davide Zappacosta made it 2-0 minutes later with a neat individual goal.
Atalanta's Lazar Samardžić and Berat Djimsiti also came close as they bossed the first 45 minutes.
Krstovic missed the best chance of the second half and Berat Djimsiti had a goal disallowed in stoppage time as Atalanta continued to dominate.
Morten Thorsby’s last-minute consolation for Cremonese gave the scoreline a more respectable sheen than the action suggested.
Cremonese was without a win in 10 games and sat 16th, just five points above the relegation zone.
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 14: Michael King #34 of the San Diego Padres pitches during a bullpen session during the daily workout at Peoria Sports Complex on February 14, 2024 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The long-awaited return of baseball is almost over. This week, pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training. Not many teams have as much riding on these two groups as the San Diego Padres. With the Friars’ pitchers and catchers reporting to the Peoria Sports Complex in Arizona, Wednesday, here’s what to look forward to between the two groups.
Catchers: Who will back up Fermin?
The Padres addressed their need behind the dish with the trade deadline acquisition of Kansas City Royals backup catcher Freddy Fermin. Fermin hit respectably to start his San Diego tenure with a slash line of .244/.278/.339. That might seem low but remember the Friars’ options prior to that were even worse with Elías Díaz and Martín Maldonado.
The question now is who Fermin’s backup will be. Two possibilities are Triple-A El Paso mainstay Luis Campusano and minor league pickup Blake Hunt.
Luis Campusano
Time is running out for Campusano. He is out of options and must make the major league roster or else he has to clear waivers to be sent back to the minors. His time in San Diego has been a strange case. A former top 50 prospect, he has struggled to produce in the majors despite the fact he raked in the minor leagues (finishing the season batting .334/.438/.586 across 466 plate appearances). His offense has not translated over, with him not recording a hit in 27 plate appearances at the big-league level.
Adding insult to injury, his defense has never been particularly strong. Across 2023-24 he recorded a -20 defensive runs saved, ranking second worst among qualified catchers. If he can’t put it all together this season, it’s likely general manager A.J. Preller will shop him at the trade deadline.
Blake Hunt
The Padres picked up Hunt this offseason on a minor league deal. For San Diego it serves as a reunion with the former second-round pick from the 2017 draft. Hunt owns a .245/.324/.398 slash line across his eight-year career in the minors. And it’s here that Campusano has one thing over Hunt: major league playing time. Apart from one day on the Baltimore Orioles’ active roster (in which he did not record a plate appearance), Hunt has spent no time at the major league level.
Because of that, it’s likely Campusano ends up in the backup role, but it remains to be seen given his obvious struggles. It seems Campusano will be the one with the club on March 26, if only so he doesn’t have to clear waivers, but Hunt may be viewed as the more long-term option behind Fermin if Campusano’s production woes continue.
Pitchers: A duel for back-end spots… or a late acquisition?
As the Padres entered the offseason, it was glaringly apparent that the starting rotation was a major problem. In spite of that, San Diego is in a much better position now. Re-signing Michael King and adding numerous minor-league pickups has helped. The first three spots of the rotation are set with Nick Pivetta, King, and Joe Musgrove, but who will follow?
The returners
Randy Vasquez and JP Sears seem to be the favorites for the final spots, given their time in San Diego’s club. Vasquez produced fairly well across 28 games in 2025, but the underlying metrics suggest that will not continue to be the case.
Sears was part of the blockbuster deal that sent top prospect Leo De Vries to the Athletics and brought Mason Miller to the Padres. He got knocked around for 16 runs after being traded to San Diego, albeit in a smaller sample of 24.2 innings. If Sears can improve his run prevention this spring, he could earn a spot on the roster come Opening Day.
Minor league flyers
The Padres extended non-roster invites to Marco Gonzalez, Triston McKenzie and Francis Peña (among others). The three are all candidates to impact the major league roster if they prove themselves in the next month.
Of the three, McKenzie represents the greatest low-risk, high-reward option. It wasn’t long ago that he finished with a 2.94 ERA across 191 innings during his tenure with the Cleveland Guardians. If he can replicate that even a little, he’ll be well on his way to making the big-league roster.
A remaining pickup?
As always, it’s impossible to rule out a last-minute Preller addition. Whether by trade or free agency, the Friars always seem to find a way to add. Odds are high, with the Padres having checked in on a number of free agent starters as well as being linked to clubs like the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox throughout the offseason.
Whatever San Diego does, the prospect of baseball coming back this week is thrilling enough. It’s been a long (and unusually quiet) offseason for the club, and it will be exciting to see how the team performs ahead of Opening Day.
