San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King blanked the Rockies on Sunday, pitching nine scoreless innings while striking out eight. It was the first complete game shutout of his career, and it looks like he is settling into 2025 as an ace-caliber pitcher after breaking out last season. Through four starts on the year, he has a 2.42 ERA with 24 strikeouts through 22 innings. He'll be looking to top the 200 strikeout mark for the second year in a row, and is currently lined up to make his next start against the Astros later this week.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King had an excellent rebound start in Tuesday's 7-0 win over the Guardians. King pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and a walk with 11 strikeouts. He also hit a batter. The 29-year-old's performance was a relief for both the Padres and fantasy managers, as he lasted just 2 2/3 IP in his first start while allowing three runs and walking four. King emerged as a legitimate higher-end fantasy starter last season and has showcased high strikeout upside throughout his career. He has walked five batters in his first two starts, but that has never been an issue in his game. King will face the Athletics in Sacramento in his next start. He is worth starting in fantasy leagues, even though Sutter Health Park has done a poor job of keeping the ball in the park early on.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King will start on Opening Day on Thursday, March 27, against the visiting Atlanta Braves, according to manager Mike Shildt. King will get the nod over right-hander Dylan Cease to kick things off in 2025 after he finished the 2024 campaign in downright nasty form for the Friars. In his first year as a full-time starter in the big leagues in San Diego in 2024 after being involved in the blockbuster trade that sent outfielder Juan Soto to the New York Yankees, the 29-year-old went 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA (3.33 FIP), a 1.19 WHIP, a career-high 201 strikeouts and 63 walks in 173 2/3 innings over 31 regular-season outings (30 starts). King excelled after basically swapping his sweeper for a harder slider and finished as the No. 16 fantasy starting pitcher. It will be interesting to see how his body handles another full workload in 2025, but you should treat him as a strong No. 2 starter.

San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher Michael King tossed two shutout frames during his spring debut on Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies. However, King struggled with his command as he served up two walks over this start. He did tally three strikeouts. Even though King enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2024, King sometimes struggled with his command. Last season, he held a high 8.7 percent walk rate which placed him in the 39th percentile. However, he generated hard-contact at an elite 30.3 percent rate and tallied strikeouts at a 27.7 percent rate which helped offset his high walk rate. Through a career-high 173 2/3 innings, the 29-year-old posted a 2.95 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP. He was dominant in the second half of the season as he held a 2.15 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP in 62 innings. He is expected to open the season as the No. 2 starter in the rotation behind Dylan Cease.

The San Diego Padres avoided salary arbitration with right-hander Michael King on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $4 million deal that includes a $15 million mutual option for the 2026 season. King will also receive a $3 million signing bonus and a $1 million salary for 2025. He's guaranteed $7.75 million, and with incentives, he could make as much as $8 million this year. The 30-year-old became a key piece of San Diego's starting rotation last year after being involved in the Juan Soto trade in December of 2023. In a career-high 30 starts in 2024, King ranked fifth in the National League with a 2.95 ERA. His 201 strikeouts were second on the team, and his 173 2/3 innings ranked 14th in the NL. King's name has been involved in trade talks this winter, but the structure of his new deal makes him much less likely to be traded than fellow starter Dylan Cease.

According to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, the New York Mets have shown interest in acquiring San Diego Padres starting pitchers Dylan Cease and Michael King. Ragazzo noted the Atlanta Braves have also had discussions with San Diego. Both pitchers would likely be one-year rentals but would still carry a hefty price tag on the trade market. Earlier this offseason, the Mets re-signed Sean Manaea and brought in Frankie Montas and Clarke Schmidt to take back-end roles in the rotation. However, with the team eyeing to compete in 2025, they would like to further bolster their rotation. Last season, Cease posted a 3.47 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP with 224 punchouts across 189 1/3 innings. King transitioned into a starter role last summer and performed well with a 2.95 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and 201 punchouts across 173 2/3 frames of work.

According to Matthew Trueblood of NorthSideBaseball.com, the Chicago Cubs have inquired about a potential trade to acquire San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher Michael King. Throughout the season, the Padres have looked to shed payroll as Dylan Cease and Luis Arraez have been discussed in trade talks but have yet to be dealt. However, according to sources, the Cubs have shown interest in trading for King, and both sides have begun discussions. King is eligible to reach free agency at the end of the 2025 season, which could lower his cost in a trade package as he may only be viewed as a rental. According to Trueblood, sources have indicated that the Cubs may send multiple young, controllable pieces, such as outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara and right-handed pitchers Ben Brown and Javier Assad. The Cubs have also shown interest in Padres closer ... [More]

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal writes that one of the reasons the free-agent market remains clogged in late January is that names like San Diego Padres right-handers Dylan Cease and Michael King are among the starting pitchers available on the trade market. An arbitration hearing for King remains likely after he asked for $8.8 million, with the Padres offering $7.325 million. The best free-agent starters on the market this offseason have already found homes in Max Fried, Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki, but Jack Flaherty and Nick Pivetta are still available. In addition to Cease and King, Seattle Mariners right-hander ... [More]

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the San Diego Padres and right-handed pitcher Michael King did not come to an agreement prior to the deadline. As a result, they will now exchange arbitration figures. King performed very well in his first season as a full-time starter. Despite his slow start in April, the right-hander posted a 2.95 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP across a career-high 173 2/3 innings. He struck out batters at a strong 27.7% rate and generated hard contact at an elite 30.3% clip. He also generated an above-average 3.59 xERA and a .226 xBA. Fantasy managers should expect King to continue to have a role in the starting rotation in 2025. Given his impressive second half, where he posted a strong 2.15 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP, fantasy managers should view King as a high-upside SP2 in all formats.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King will likely start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Padres manager Mike Schildt said that after Dylan Cease starts Game 1, Yu Darvish will likely go in Game 2, and King will go "soon thereafter," insinuating a Game 3 start for the righty. King was dominant in his first postseason start, striking out 12 batters in seven innings of shutout ball against the Atlanta Braves. King has been a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde type pitcher against the Dodgers this season. He's faced them four times, and in two of those he's been dominant (12 innings of shutout ball), and in the other two he's been crushed (10 runs, seven earned in just over eight innings pitched). The good news for Padres fans is the two blowups happened early in the season, with one being a long-relief appearance in South Korea. King may be a risky DFS play in his start, as current Dodgers have hit him for a .326 wOBA and a .366 xwOBA. Those willing to take a risk on him in DFS should know there's likely a bit of volatility in this matchup.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King was locked in for Tuesday's wild-card Game 1 4-0 win over the Braves. King pitched seven innings, allowing five hits and no walks with 12 strikeouts. The 29-year-old's performance made him just the third pitcher ever to record at least 10 strikeouts with no walks in his first postseason start. King had a great first season with the Padres, going 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and a 27.7% strikeout rate. He should be a fantasy target in 2025, and his stock could jump even higher if he gets more post-season opportunities to impress.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King will get the nod for Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday at Petco Park. Right-hander Yu Darvish will head to the bullpen for the three-game series. In his first season in San Diego after coming over from the New York Yankees via the Juan Soto blockbuster trade, King went 13-9 with a sharp 2.95 ERA (3.33 FIP), a 1.19 WHIP, a career-high 201 strikeouts and 63 walks in 173 2/3 innings over 31 outings (30 starts). The 29-year-old is hot coming into the playoffs, too, and didn't allow more than three earned runs in any of his 11 starts in the second half of the season. In four starts in September, he gave up seven runs (four earned) while walking six and fanning 24 in 23 innings. Tuesday's big start will be King's first against the Braves this year, a club that has had trouble scoring runs at times without Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) and Austin Riley (hand).

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King bounced back in a big way in Tuesday's victory versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. After a rough outing last time out, King fired six scoreless innings to improve to 10-6 on the season. King allowed seven hits in the contest, but walked zero batter and recorded 10 strikeouts. King was the big name that came over from the New York Yankees for Juan Soto this offseason and overall has performed to a high level with his new team. On the season, King has a healthy 3.19 ERA to go along with 10.71 K/9 and 11 quality starts. He has also pitched exclusively as a starting pitcher for the first time in his career and has thrown a career-high 135 1/3 innings. At this rate, the only concern for managers would be his innings pitched, but the 29-year-old hasn't shown any signs of fatigue and managers should remain confident in the right-hander. Next up for King will be a date versus the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (calf) is listed as the team's starting pitcher for their contest in Pittsburgh on Wednesday against the Pirates. King had his last turn through the starting rotation skipped due to left-calf soreness after he was hit by a line drive. The 29-year-old appears good to go now, though, and will slot back in on Wednesday. King's last start came on July 27 against the Baltimore Orioles, when he allowed only two earned runs with nine strikeouts and two walks in 6 1/3 innings for his ninth win of 2024. He has had a quality start in four of his last five outings for the Friars and has been useful in most fantasy leagues in his first year in SD with a 3.26 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 144 K's in 124 1/3 frames over his 22 outings (21 starts). The Pirates have the fourth-lowest team OPS in baseball, so King should be thrown back into starting lineups when he toes the rubber on Wednesday.

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt says that starting pitcher Michael King (calf) is "a little sore from the comebacker he took in his last start and he needs a couple of extra days", so his next turn in the rotation will be skipped in Sunday's game against the division-rival Colorado Rockies. King was hit by a 109-mph comebacker in the left calf in last Saturday's start against the Baltimore Orioles on the game's first batter before throwing 6 1/3 strong innings. With King having already tossed a career-high 124 1/3 innings in 2024, the Padres are in no hurry to rush him back into the rotation. King played catch on Friday, and his issue doesn't seem to be a long-term concern. Although the 29-year-old right-hander will miss a favorable matchup at home against the last-place Rockies on Sunday, King tentatively lines up to make his next appearance against the depleted Miami Marlins at some point next weekend.

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (9-6) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out nine over 6 1/3 innings in Saturday's 9-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles. He picked up his ninth victory of the season. The 29-year-old threw 101 pitches, landing 66 for strikes. King has struck out at least five or more hitters while posting a 1.82 ERA over his previous four starts. He owns a 3.26 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 144: 45 K: BB across 124 1/3 innings. King will look to continue his impressive run in his next start on Friday against the Colorado Rockies.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King (8-6) was the "King of the Hill" Sunday afternoon picking up the win and a quality start after tossing seven one-run innings allowing one run on two hits with six strikeouts and one walk in a close 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. King carried a no-hitter into the 7th inning before allowing a bloop single off the bat of Angel Martinez and another single to Jose Ramirez. Ramirez was tossed out at second base after trying to sneak an extra base after a long throw from right field to third base. The lone run allowed then came in on a Josh Naylor ground out. The 29-year-old hurler has been excellent in his last four starts in which he hasn't allowed more than one run in all four starts to some power house teams in the Red Sox, Rangers, Mariners, and Guardians. In the last month and a half he's lowered his ERA from 4.31 to a stellar 3.28 ERA on the season. His next opponent will be no walk in the park either with a matchup against the Baltimore Orioles on the road set for next weekend.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King tossed seven innings of one-run ball en route to earning his eighth victory of the campaign. He allowed just two hits and one free pass. He struck out six. King carried a no-hitter into the seventh but allowed a leadoff single to Angel Martinez. Martinez would then score on an RBI groundout, courtesy of Josh Naylor. The 29-year-old has now posted four straight strong outings as he entered Sunday riding a 1.56 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across his past three starts. In his first season as a starter, King has flashed elite upside at times but has had a few growing pains. The right-hander should remain in all lineups going forward and is a high-upside play in DFS.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King tossed six innings of one-run ball on Saturday against the Boston Red Sox. He allowed five hits, one free pass, and struck out six. King's one mistake came off a solo shot by Boston outfielder Jarren Duran in the sixth inning. This was a big bounce-back for the 29-year-old right-hander as he allowed five earned runs in his previous start. In his first season as a full-time starter, King has posted a 3.61 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a 39:115 BB:K ratio through 99 innings. King has shown elite strikeout potential and should be started in most leagues in his next start on Friday, July 5 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King was solid on Sunday, tossing seven innings of one-run ball in a 4-3 loss against the Kansas City Royals. King allowed four hits and two walks while striking out four in this one. He was in line for the win until things unraveled in the ninth for the Padres bullpen, giving King a tough-luck no-decision. The 29-year-old will look to build off his solid May, where he pitched to a 3.00 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. In fact, King has gotten better each month in his first year as a full-time starter, which is somewhat expected. He should be rostered in all but the shallowest of leagues at this point.