Padres Notes: Friars Could Make Trade, Craig Stammen Gets Honest, Walker Buehler Message to Dodgers

The San Diego Padres beat the San Francisco Giants, 7-1, on Wednesday, salvaging their second consecutive series with a win in the finale.

Right-handed pitcher Nick Pivetta silenced the doubters with five shutout innings, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out eight. The Padres offense had just three runs until the bottom of the eighth inning, when they exploded for four to break the game open.

The Padres are off on Thursday as they travel to Boston for their first road trip of the year.

In other news, the Padres could be forced into an early-season trade to shore up a key position. The Padres have seen major struggles from backup catcher Luis Campusano, and may need to find a viable replacement if he continues to scuffle at the plate.

Campusano's last hit in the major leagues was in August 2024.

Additionally, manager Craig Stammen got honest about his team's early season struggles, saying they need to get off to quicker starts.

“It’s always tough when you get down early,” Stammen said, “especially in that first inning where you get in the dugout and you’re already down three. ... We’re not playing our best right now."

Finally, right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler, a longtime Los Angeles Dodger, admitted he doesn't know how the LA fans will receive him this year. Buehler is a two-time World Series champion with LA and recorded the final three outs of the 2024 World Series, but is now wearing the rival brown and gold.

“I guess we’ll have to see,” Buehler said of the reception he'll get if he returns to Dodger Stadium as a member of the Padres. “Hopefully all in all it’s neutral.”

The Padres don't travel to Dodger Stadium until the first week of July.

Here’s more information on these stories and all the latest Padres news (click the headline for the full article):

Don't Count Padres Out From Trading for Catcher

Padres' Craig Stammen Gets Brutally Honest on Early Season Struggles

Walker Buehler Unsure How Dodgers Fans Feel About Him After Joining Padres

Padres' Craig Stammen Challenges Players to Be Better in One Key Aspect

Padres Manager Reveals Why Luis Campusano is a 'Weapon' for San Diego

Walker Buehler Reveals What He Needs to Improve After First Padres Start

Padres Tweets of the Day

Lovely day for a dub. pic.twitter.com/Pc7qpjHBWA
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 1, 2026

¡Vamos, Ramoncito! pic.twitter.com/ySgn7M8Oof
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 1, 2026

Yessir 🙂‍↕️ pic.twitter.com/2JOzVsVdcB
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 1, 2026

Piv was dialed in. pic.twitter.com/MiZJWKvce7
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 1, 2026

Late in the game, I saw Jackson Merrill turn around in the dugout and play a quick game of Rock, Paper, Scissors with a young kid in the stands. I asked him about it. The answer, as you can imagine, is perfect 😂 pic.twitter.com/vEbdDbuEny
— Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) April 2, 2026