Matt Waldron is doing what he can to force his way into the Padres’ plans.

The knuckleballer struck out six over four shutout innings in a second rehab start with Triple-A El Paso in a 3-1 loss on Thursday in Tacoma.

Waldron scattered three hits without walking a batter and is up to nine strikeouts over seven scoreless/walk-less innings through two rehab starts.

Waldron’s spring surgery allowed the Padres to place him on the 15-day injured list to start the season and give him a 30-day rehab window to ramp up to a starter’s workload.

Before the surgery, Waldron was competing with Walker Buehler and Germán Márquez for a spot in the back of the Padres’ rotation. Joe Musgrove’s spring setback created a second opening in the rotation behind Nick Pivetta, Michael King and Randy Vásquez.

Neither Buehler nor Márquez pitched particularly well the first time through the order, which could give Waldron a chance to reclaim a spot in the rotation. Waldron is out of minor league options, so the Padres will risk losing him to waivers if he’s not added to the roster after his rehab window is over.

Right-hander Sean Boyle pitched two scoreless innings after Waldron’s exit and left-hander Jackson Wolf (0-1, 7.71 ERA) allowed three runs over the final two innings.

Center fielder Jase Bowen (.838 OPS) doubled twice in the game.

El Paso is 2-3.

 

Thursday’s scoreboard

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (0-1)

Tulsa 5, Missions 1: C Ethan Salas went 1-for-4 with a strikeout in his first official game since missing most of last year with a back injury. 3B Luis Verdugo went 2-for-3 with a home run. RHP Victor Lizarraga (0-1, 3.60 ERA) walked six but allowed two runs on two hits in five innings. He struck out two.

 

LOW SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (1-0)

Storm 7, Ontario 5: C Ty Harvey went 1-for-3 with a double, three RBIs, two walks and a run scored. LF Conner Westenburg drove in two runs on two hits. CF Ryan Wideman went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. 2B Jose Verdugo went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks and a run scored. RHP Bryan Balzer (2.25 ERA) struck out seven while allowing a run on two hits and two walks in four innings in the start.

 

Notable

High Single-A Fort Wayne’s opener is Friday. LHP Kash Mayfield will start the game.
El Paso’s game on Wednesday in Tacoma was rained out and will be made up as part of a Saturday doubleheader.