The Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona, is expected to be bustling starting February 10 as the San Diego Padres kick off their 2026 season. Pitchers and catchers will begin with physical exams prior to their first workout on February 11. On February 12, all Padres players participating in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) will report. Following the recent addition of three relief pitchers, eight Padres players and pitchers are set to leave early to join their respective WBC teams. These players include Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Wandy Peralta from the Dominican Republic team; Xander Bogaerts (Netherlands); Hiroki Matsui (Japan); Mason Miller (USA); Ron Marinaccio and Alec Jacob (Italy).
Alongside three minor league players, special assistant Mark Loretta, who serves as the third base coach for Israel’s team, will also participate. The minor leaguers involved are right-handed pitcher Carlton Loewen (Canada), left-handed pitcher Miguel Cienfuegos (Panama), and right-handed pitcher Josh Maritz (Israel). The rest of the Padres squad is slated to report for practice on February 15. At the Padres Fan Fest on January 31, Jake Cronenworth noted that many teammates plan to arrive early to spend extra time bonding ahead of the WBC.
Ahead of the official start of the WBC, MLB and WBC teams will play exhibition games on March 3 and 4. The Padres will face Team Great Britain on March 4 at 12:10 p.m. PT in Peoria, with 28 games scheduled nationally over those two days. The WBC’s first official matches kick off at Tokyo Dome on March 4 and 5, with other venues starting from March 6. Team USA will open their tournament with a game against Brazil on March 6 in Houston, Texas.
Media access is planned for February 10, starting with coach Craig Stammen’s press appearance at 8 a.m. PT, followed by hitting coach Steven Souza and bench coach Randy Noah. The clubhouse will be open to media on Wednesday.
MLB will once again host its spring breakout games from March 19 to 22, showcasing top prospects in 16 games. The Padres’ prospects will go up against the Chicago Cubs’ prospects on Saturday, March 21 at 6 p.m. PT. Rosters will be announced after minor league players arrive at camp.
The Padres’ first spring training game is scheduled for March 20 at 12:10 p.m. PT against the Seattle Mariners in their yearly charity match at the Peoria Sports Complex. They will play a total of 30 games, including split squad matches, concluding on March 23. Unlike previous years, no exhibition games will follow after spring training before the team returns to San Diego. The home opener will be held on March 26 at Petco Park against the Detroit Tigers.
Currently, the Padres have 38 players on their 40-man roster. The reported signing of Miguel Andujar is still pending official confirmation. Once this transaction is finalized, the team will have one open spot and will need to make a roster move to add another player.
The Padres recently invited 28 non-roster invitees (NRIs) to spring training. Among these are 13 pitchers, four catchers, seven infielders, and four outfielders, including top prospect Ethan Salas, who missed much of the 2025 season recovering from a lower back stress fracture. Notable pitchers with potential to impress include right-handed reliever Francis Pena, right-handed starter Triston McKenzie, and left-handed starter Marco Gonzalez.
Attention will also be on catchers Ethan Salas and Blake Hunt. Hunt, drafted by the Padres in 2017, is expected to compete for a backup catcher role. Known primarily for his defensive skills, Hunt recently played for the Seattle Mariners in 25 games. This upcoming season will be critical for Salas as he aims to reclaim his status as an elite prospect after struggles in 2024 and missing most of last year.
The Padres signed infielder Jose Miranda to a minor league contract. The 28-year-old appeared in 12 games for Minnesota last season but struggled offensively, recording a .417 OPS in the majors and a .569 OPS in Triple-A. He is seen as a player who could turn his career around this year.
Romeo Sanabria, the Padres’ top first base prospect, will attend spring training for the first time at age 24. He will need to take significant steps this season to establish himself as a legitimate MLB player. Infielder Marcos Castañon, who showed promise last season, could also make a strong impression in spring. Outfielders Carlos Rodriguez and Nick Schnell, both left-handed hitters aged 25 and 26 respectively, will look to make their mark as well.
Padres fans should also watch the progress of two newcomers added to the 40-man roster: right-handed relief pitcher Garrett Hawkins and right-handed starter Miguel Mendez. While both are expected to perform well in spring training, they may require additional minor league development before joining the major league team. Mendez, who advanced notably last year, could benefit from increasing his innings to build stamina. Hawkins, who returned after Tommy John surgery, has the potential to become a reliable late-season reliever if his recovery continues on track.
General Manager AJ Preller is anticipated to make further roster moves in the coming weeks. As the 2026 season approaches, Padres supporters have plenty to look forward to, from the excitement of the WBC to the promise of spring training games.
Fan Take: This comprehensive update highlights the Padres’ deep involvement in the upcoming World Baseball Classic and promising talent developments, signaling a dynamic season ahead. For baseball fans, it marks an exciting convergence of international competition and homegrown prospects that could reshape the future landscape of the sport.
