Michael King

Fantasy News

• Padres' Michael King: Steady in no-decision

  Rotowire Mar 28, 2026

  King allowed one unearned run on one hit and four walks while striking out six over five-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Tigers on Friday. King pitched fairly well despite throwing a modest 46 of 82 pitches for strikes in his season debut. The 30-year-old had some trouble with free passes, which is a carryover from spring training, when he walked seven batters over 17.2 innings while pitching to a 10.19 ERA. His control was fine last year with a 3.2 BB/9 over 73.1 innings across 15 regular-season starts, but he also had a 9.3 K/9 that was his worst since his 2021 campaign as a swingman with the Yankees. King battled shoulder and knee injuries late in 2025, but he looks healthy to start 2026. He is projected to make his second start of the campaign on the road in Boston.

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• Padres' Michael King: Impressive in first spring outing

  Rotowire Feb 26, 2026

  King allowed one run on two hits and no walks while striking out four batters over 2.2 innings in a Cactus League start versus the Angels on Wednesday. King dealt with multiple injuries last year and made only 15 regular-season starts, but he appears healthy this spring. The right-hander breezed through the first two innings of his Cactus League debut Wednesday, retiring the first six batters he faced before serving up a Christian Moore solo homer in the third. Overall, King was sharp, throwing 26 of his 37 pitches for strikes and inducing seven whiffs. If King can stay healthy, he'll slot in near the top of San Diego's rotation in 2026.

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• Padres' Michael King: Returns to San Diego

  Rotowire Dec 18, 2025

  King agreed to a one-year contract with the Padres on Thursday that includes player options for 2027 and 2028, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. King had two excellent seasons with the Padres in 2024 and 2025 and passed on a qualifying offer with the team earlier in the offseason, but he'll ultimately remain with San Diego. According to Feinsand, King will make $17 million in 2025 and will net at least another $5 million in the form of a buyout for the 2027 option. His player options for 2027 and 2028 are worth $28 million and $30 million, respectively. Assuming King can avoid any lingering issues with his shoulder -- which cost him much of the 2025 season -- he should headline the Padres' rotation in 2026.

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• Michael King: Receives qualifying offer

  Rotowire Nov 6, 2025

  The Padres extended a one-year, $22.05 million qualifying offer to King on Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports. King will presumably decline the offer and instead pursue a multi-year deal in free agency, and if he signs somewhere other than San Diego, the Padres will receive a compensatory draft pick. The 30-year-old righty is likely to have plenty of suitors this offseason after turning in a 3.44 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 73.1 innings in 2025.

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• Michael King: Bound for free agency

  Rotowire Nov 2, 2025

  King declined his side of a $15 million mutual option for the 2026 season Sunday, making him an unrestricted free agent, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Though he endured an injury-plagued 2025 campaign in which he compiled a 3.44 ERA over 73.1 innings and 15 starts before being moved to the bullpen for the Padres' postseason run, King will head to the open market for the first time in search of a multi-year contract. Despite a somewhat concerning health record, King shouldn't have too much trouble securing a big payday in free agency after submitting stellar ratios (3.10 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 18.2 K-BB%) over the past two seasons with San Diego while making the full-time transition to the rotation.

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• Padres' Michael King: Left out of wild-card rotation

  Rotowire Sep 29, 2025

  Padres manager Mike Shildt said Monday that King will be available out of the bullpen for the National League Wild Card Series against the Cubs, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports. Nick Pivetta and Dylan Cease will start Games 1 and 2, respectively, and Yu Darvish is in line to take the ball in a potential Game 3. King was limited to only five starts from late May on due to shoulder and knee problems, and he posted a 6.11 ERA and 12:9 K:BB over 17.2 innings in those outings. The righty could be added back to the rotation if the Padres advance to the NLDS, but he'll be assigned to the bullpen for the wild-card round.

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• Padres' Michael King: Abbreviated outing in no-decision

  Rotowire Sep 28, 2025

  King did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Diamondbacks, allowing one hit and two walks with three strikeouts over 2.2 scoreless innings. King generated seven whiffs on 49 pitches in his final regular-season outing as the Padres gear up to face the Cubs in the wild-card round. The 30-year-old posted a 5.74 ERA over four starts since returning from the injured list Sept. 9, though much of that damage came in an eight-run blowup against the Mets three turns ago. He'll wrap up an injury-plagued season with a 3.44 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 76:26 K:BB over 73.1 innings, while his role for the postseason remains unsettled.

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• Padres' Michael King: Walks four in win

  Rotowire Sep 21, 2025

  King (5-3) allowed four hits and four walks over five-plus scoreless innings Sunday, striking out four and earning a win over the White Sox. King worked out of multiple jams through five frames to keep the White Sox off the board. He loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth but was not charged with any runs after Adrian Morejon came in to clean up the mess. King still doesn't look like his usual self, but it was a much better performance than his last outing when he was tagged with eight runs against the Mets. The 30-year-old righty is now sporting a 3.57 ERA with a 73:24 K:BB through 70.2 innings this season. King's final regular-season start is projected to be at home next weekend against the Diamondbacks.

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• Padres' Michael King: Sharp in return Tuesday

  Rotowire Sep 10, 2025

  King took a no-decision Tuesday against the Reds, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out two. King was limited to 63 pitches in his return from the injured list, though that didn't prevent him from tossing five frames. The right-hander served up multiple home runs for the first time all season, but the three hits allowed tied his second-fewest total of the year. King will be aiming to up his pitch count when he brings a strong 2.87 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 67:20 K:BB across 62.2 frames into his next outing, which is set to be a favorable home matchup against the last-place Rockies this weekend.

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• Padres' Michael King: Lined up to start Tuesday

  Rotowire Sep 8, 2025

  King is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday's game against the Reds at Petco Park, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports. He would also be lined up for a second start this week Sunday at home versus the Rockies. King has made only one start for the Padres since late May, having missed most of that time due to a shoulder issue and more recently a knee injury. The Padres are aiming for him to make four starts before the end of this month as he gets ramped up for the postseason. King made an unofficial five-inning start at the Padres' spring training complex in Arizona this past Thursday, so he could be capable of covering at least five frames versus the Reds.

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• Padres' Michael King: Throws three-inning sim game

  Rotowire Aug 24, 2025

  King (knee) completed a three-inning, 44-pitch simulated game Saturday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports. King doesn't appear on track to return from the 15-day injured list Tuesday when first eligible, but since he's already started facing live hitters, he won't require much additional time before slotting back into the San Diego rotation. The Padres will likely check back in on King and see how he's feeling coming out of the sim game before deciding if he needs a minor-league rehab start prior to being activated or if he'll be able to rejoin the big club to make a start during next weekend's series in Minnesota.

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• Padres' Michael King: Tosses second bullpen Thursday

  Rotowire Aug 22, 2025

  King (knee) threw bullpen sessions Monday and Thursday, per MLB.com. King landed on the IL due to left knee inflammation Aug. 14. However, the move was backdated to Aug. 11, so the righty hurler is eligible to be activated this coming Tuesday. The hope has been that King will be able to return to the roster after a minimum-length IL stay, and his ability to throw two bullpens this week suggests that such a scenario remains feasible, though the Padres may opt to give him a few more days to keep the team's other starters on their usual schedule. For the time being, JP Sears is in line to get at least one more start while King remains out of action.

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• Padres' Michael King: Aiming for minimum IL stay

  Rotowire Aug 17, 2025

  King (knee) said Friday that he hopes to return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Aug. 26, MLB.com reports. King missed approximately two-and-a-half months due to a pinched nerve in his shoulder before he made his return from the 60-day injured list last weekend. The right-hander covered just two innings in his start against the Red Sox last Saturday before landing back on the shelf Thursday due to left knee inflammation. King said the knee injury was a byproduct of ramping up too quickly while he was rehabbing the shoulder injury, but he doesn't believe that the setback will keep him out for long. Even so, King will likely need to resume throwing off a mound and facing hitters within the next few days to have a realistic chance at returning from the IL before the end of August.

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• Padres' Michael King: Completes bullpen session

  Rotowire Jul 10, 2025

  King (shoulder) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. King was originally slated to throw a "touch and feel" bullpen session, but the team instead termed it a full session. There hasn't been an exact timeline for his return to San Diego's rotation, but both King and the team have suggested early to mid-August is a realistic target for his activation.

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• Padres' Michael King: Expects to pitch again this season

  Rotowire Jun 21, 2025

  King (shoulder) said Friday that he's "very confident" he'll pitch again this season, Marty Caswell of TheSportingTribune.com reports. King hasn't pitched in a game since May 18 and landed on the injured list May 25 due to what was initially deemed shoulder inflammation. The issue has since been classified as a pinched nerve, and King explained Friday that his injury is to the long thoracic nerve, adding that injuries to that specific nerve are rarely encountered in baseball. The righty hurler mentioned that he and the Padres are in the "discovery phase" of understanding the injury, adding that he's seen several specialists across the country in an attempt to get answers. King also indicated that the next step in his recovery isn't clear at the moment, though he noted that he feels he's progressing and believes he's going to be able to return to the mound this season. For the time being, King is focusing on strengthening his injured shoulder and is doing only light throwing. Manager Mike Shildt implied Thursday that the team expects King to be out at least through the All-Star break.

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• Padres' Michael King: Still not making progress

  Rotowire Jun 14, 2025

  King (shoulder) remains stalled in his throwing progression, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan reports. Per MLB.com, Padres manager Mike Shildt said last week that King was "in a holding pattern" as the club assessed options for his treatment and next steps. Shildt added Friday that "until [King] can pick up a baseball and throw it consistently, there's really no planning." The right-handed hurler has been out of action due to right shoulder inflammation since late May, and he doesn't seem to be close to a return.

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• Padres' Michael King: Not making much progress

  Rotowire Jun 9, 2025

  King (shoulder) is still resting and hasn't yet been able to ramp up his throwing, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports. The team is prescribing rest as the main method of rehab for King, who was placed on the 15-day injured list May 25 due to a pinched nerve in his throwing shoulder. While he reportedly started to play light catch one week ago, manager Mike Shildt noted that the club is still looking into the best way forward for the right-hander. "We're just in a holding pattern to see what it is and the best way to treat it, if there is a better way to treat it outside of just the rest," said Shildt. It would seem that King is still weeks away from a return, though an official timetable has yet to be established.

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• Padres' Michael King: Begins playing light catch

  Rotowire Jun 2, 2025

  King said Sunday that he has begun playing light catch and has shown incremental improvement in his recovery from a right shoulder injury, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports. King is dealing with a pinched nerve in his throwing shoulder and suggested that he expects to return from the injured list within weeks rather than months. However, Padres manager Mike Shildt indicated King is in the early stages of recovery, so a clear timeline on the right-hander's return may not be available until he's further along in the rehab process.

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• Padres' Michael King: Lands on injured list

  Rotowire May 25, 2025

  The Padres placed King on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to right shoulder inflammation. The right-hander was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday due to shoulder stiffness, and he'll miss at least two more turns through the rotation due to the injury. King will be eligible to be reinstated June 6, though it's unclear if he'll be ready to return to the big-league mound at that point. Thanks to King's injury, Stephen Kolek should be able to stick in San Diego's rotation a bit longer, even with Yu Darvish (elbow) nearing a return from the IL.

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• Padres' Michael King: One out shy of quality start

  Rotowire May 13, 2025

  King allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out eight over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Monday. King came up an out short of a quality start, and he was also denied the win after Robert Suarez's meltdown in the ninth inning. This was just the third time all year King has given up three runs, and he's yet to give up more than that in any start. He's now at a 2.32 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 56:16 K:BB over 50.1 innings across nine starts. The 29-year-old right-hander continues to be one of the best pitchers in the majors early in the campaign. He'll look to keep things rolling with a home start versus the Mariners this weekend.

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