The San Diego Padres will be without right-hander Matt Waldron indefinitely after a painful and highly unusual medical issue forced him into surgery and an extended hospital stay. What was initially described only as “an infection in his rear end” was later clarified to be a hemorrhoid-related infection severe enough to require a procedure.
And now he has received support from a company specializing in that specific area.
The situation quickly moved from uncomfortable rumor to confirmed reality when Padres manager Craig Stammen addressed reporters.
“[Matt] had to have surgery to drain it and make it better,” Stammen said Wednesday.
While lower-body strains and elbow inflammation routinely populate MLB injury reports, a hemorrhoid-related infection is a rarity, particularly one that necessitates hospitalization.
The recovery process has already sidelined Waldron for several days, and the organization has described his status as fluid.
According to Stammen, the 29-year-old is considered “week-to-week,” casting doubt on his availability for Opening Day. For a pitcher who had been competing for a rotation spot this spring, the timing could not be worse.
Adding a lighter layer to the situation, hygiene brand Dude Wipes stepped forward publicly to support the pitcher’s recovery.
A company representative said they would be happy to send Waldron fragrance-free, flushable hemorrhoid wipes medicated with witch hazel to provide soothing relief.
The products are reportedly receiving VIP handling inside the company’s warehouse, reserved specifically for the right-handed hurler.
“Hemorrhoids are no laughing matter. We want to help!” the company told TMZ Sports, after posting a tweet on social media that read: “Wipes are on the way!”
Rotation battle put on hold
Waldron, originally acquired as the player to be named later in the nine-player trade that brought Mike Clevinger to the Padres in 2020, has steadily worked to carve out a role since making his MLB debut in 2023.
The knuckleballer entered camp hoping to solidify a role in the starting staff. After logging 146.2 innings in 2024 with a 4.91 ERA for San Diego, Waldron demonstrated durability and the ability to navigate big league lineups with his signature fluttering pitch.
His deceptive knuckleball offered a different look within a rotation traditionally built on velocity and swing-and-miss stuff. However, last season presented inconsistency.
He spent much of the year in Triple-A and made just one major league start, surrendering four runs across 4.2 innings. That uneven performance left him fighting to maintain footing on the depth chart entering 2025.
Now, the focus shifts from mechanics and pitch sequencing to post-surgical healing. Incision recovery, mobility, and overall comfort will dictate how quickly Waldron can resume mound work.
Any setbacks could jeopardize not only his Opening Day hopes but also his roster security. If the timetable extends, options such as waivers or another prolonged stint in the minors could come into play.
How do hemorrhoids surface?
The gesture exhibits the uncomfortable but very real nature of the condition.
Hemorrhoids can become infected when irritated or left untreated, occasionally requiring drainage procedures similar to what Waldron underwent.
Though rarely discussed in professional sports contexts, such complications can significantly limit sitting, walking, and athletic movement – all of which are essential for a pitcher’s mechanics.
For San Diego, the immediate concern is depth. The club has navigated pitching volatility in recent seasons, and every rotation candidate carries value.
His path forward now depends on healing timelines rather than pitch design. If recovery progresses smoothly, he could re-enter the competition later this spring. If not, the business side of baseball may intervene.
Despite the slightly delicate nature of such symptoms, Waldron is expected to be fine as long he recovers and finds some relief from the pain. Fortunately, his new corporate ally is at hand to help with that.
Read the full article here
