When the San Diego Padres initially described Matt Waldron’s medical issue as an “infection in his rear end,” the vague phrasing sparked confusion and curiosity in equal measure. Now, clarity has arrived, and with it, a reminder that even professional athletes are not immune to the most uncomfortable of ailments. Waldron’s setback has been confirmed as a hemorrhoid issue requiring surgical intervention, temporarily sidelining the 29-year-old knuckleballer during a critical stretch of spring preparation.
A Delicate Situation Unfolds in Padres Spring Camp
According to Padres manager Craig Stammen, Waldron underwent a procedure to drain the affected area and address the condition. He has spent the past several days in the hospital recovering. The timeline, while not alarming, remains fluid. Waldron has been placed on the injured list and will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis, with the primary concern being how well the incision heals and how comfortably he can move once baseball activities resume.
For a pitcher, particularly one who relies on the finesse and feel of a knuckleball, physical comfort and core stability are essential. Any disruption, especially in an area so central to balance and mechanics, introduces complications. The Padres, however, appear confident that this will not evolve into a long-term absence. Stammen emphasized that the organization intends to manage Waldron’s rehabilitation carefully, preparing him for a potential return by the end of spring training before reassessing his status for the regular season.
A Career Searching for Stability
Waldron’s career trajectory has already included its share of hurdles. Last season proved challenging. An oblique injury in spring training derailed early momentum, and after making just one start in June, he ultimately finished the year in Triple-A. Over 27 appearances, 26 of them starts, he posted a 4.91 earned-run average in 2025, numbers that reflect both inconsistency and the difficulty of maintaining durability across a full campaign.
For a pitcher attempting to solidify his role in a competitive rotation, lost time carries amplified significance. Each outing serves as both an evaluation and an opportunity. The timing of this procedure, coming during a period typically devoted to building stamina and refining mechanics, adds another layer of difficulty to an already uphill climb.
Not the First Athlete to Face the Issue
While unusual, Waldron’s condition is not unprecedented in professional sports. Baseball history offers a notable parallel: Kansas City Royals legend George Brett famously exited Game 2 of the 1980 World Series due to hemorrhoid pain. After undergoing minor surgery, Brett returned for Game 3 and delivered an impressive 2-for-4 performance with an RBI. He went on to hit .375 during the series, despite the Royals falling to the Philadelphia Phillies. Brett later quipped, “My problems are all behind me,” cementing the episode as one of the more memorable footnotes in postseason lore.
The phenomenon extends beyond baseball. In 2012, Argentine soccer player Leo Ponzio ruptured a hemorrhoid mid-match yet continued playing, completing the contest for River Plate. Such stories underscore the uncomfortable reality that, despite peak conditioning, athletes are still subject to common medical conditions that can suddenly affect performance.
For Waldron, the focus now shifts entirely to recovery. Hemorrhoid procedures, while typically minor, require careful management to prevent complications and ensure proper healing. In the tightly calibrated world of Major League Baseball pitching staffs, timing is everything. Each missed bullpen session or exhibition outing carries weight. Yet the Padres appear poised to take a measured approach, balancing urgency with caution as the season approaches.
