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  • MLB Notes

    Read quick notes on the San Diego Padres big league club, including injuries, lineup changes and roster moves.

    142 rumors in this category

      Steve Drumwright

      In a move that suddenly gives the San Diego Padres a ton of outfield depth, infielder Sung-Mun Song was optioned to Triple-A El Paso, while outfielder Dustin Harris had his contract selected from the Chihuahuas. Right-handed starter Lucas Giolito was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL to create room for Harris on the 40-man roster.

      While solid defensively and having played everywhere but first base on the infield, Song has not contributed much offensively in his rookie season. The 29-year-old, who came over to the U.S. from the Korea Baseball Organization, has a slash line of .202/.305/.263 with one homer, 15 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 62 games. Song did not play at all over the weekend against the Minnesota Twins and is just 2-for-15 with two walks in August.

      Harris is with his third franchise this season, having been in the majors with the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros as well. He started the season at Triple-A for the White Sox, then called up for a week in early April before being designated for assignment. The Astros claimed Harris off waivers a few days later and spent three weeks on the major-league roster before being DFA'd again May 5. He was outrighted to Triple-A, but chose to become a free agent, re-signing with the White Sox on a minor-league deal May 12. The White Sox released Harris July 2 and he latched on with the Padres on July 8 on a minor-league contract, going to El Paso. Due to roster shuffling, the Padres released Harris on Aug. 5 and signed him again Aug. 7.

      Harris has compiled a slash line of .350/.422/.617 in 29 games for the Chihuahuas and .329/.407/.545 in 74 Triple-A games this year. In his two MLB stints this year, he has a .233/.333/.302 slash line in 17 games. He also played in 21 games over the 2024-25 seasons with the Texas Rangers, with a .217/.280/.435 slash line.

      Harris had two of his 12 Triple-A homers last week.

      Bryan Jaeger
       
      Robert Suarez , the San Diego Padres' star closer, opted out of his five-year contract signed in 2023. He had $16 million left on the deal. Now 34, Suárez is among the most attractive free agents. He had a career-high 40 saves this season with a 2.97 ERA in 69 2/3 innings. He led the National League in saves, trailing only Carlos Estévez (42) of the Kansas City Royals for the MLB lead.
       
      According to Spotrac, Suárez's market value spans four years, totaling $67 million, with an annual salary of $16.8 million. He likely wants another large payday before age 40. He is the top closer available, with Raisel Iglesias, Ryan Helsley, and Devin Williams as the main alternatives. Edwin Díaz could also opt out, and Andrés Muñoz has a club option. Both are younger and will draw attention.  
       
      Brandon Glick

      Heading into Chicago to face a hostile crowd and the Cubs, the Padres were always going to have to get creative to win in the Wild Card Round.

      Their playoff roster has been released, and there's a few surprises, particularly at the catcher position.

      Catchers (3): Freddy Fermin, Martín Maldonado, Luis Campusano

      Infield (7): Ryan O’Hearn, Luis Arraez, Jake Cronenworth, Xander Bogaerts, Manny Machado, Jose Iglesias, Mason McCoy

      Outfield (4): Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, Gavin Sheets, Bryce Johnson

      Starters (5): Nick Pivetta, Dylan Cease, Yu Darvish, Michael King, Randy Vásquez

      Relievers (7): Robert Suarez, Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, Jeremiah Estrada, David Morgan, Wandy Peralta, Bradgley Rodriguez

      So, Elias Diaz is officially out (hurt his oblique over the weekend), and Luis Campusano and Martin Maldonado are in. Neither backstop has been with the big league club since before the trade deadline...

      What do you think of the Padres' playoff roster? Are you surprised by any decisions made by Mike Shildt and the front office?

      Brandon Glick

      The San Diego Padres haven't had a Gold Glove winner since 2023, when both Ha-seong Kim (UT) and Fernando Tatís Jr. (RF) when the award.

      That may not change in 2025, though Tatis has at least been named a finalist for the award in right field. He posted eight Outs Above Average, nine Fielding Run Value, and 15 Defensive Runs Saved in another banner campaign in the outfield. Among all qualified National League right fielders this season, those marks rank second, first, and first. The other finalists are Corbin Carroll of the Diamondbacks and Sal Frelick of the Brewers.

      The Padres have no other finalists for the award, which is disappointing, especially after the season that Xander Bogaerts produced at shortstop. He earned seven OAA and seven FRV in 2025, though his -4 DRS likely kept him out of the running at such a loaded position in the Senior Circuit.

      Gold Glove winners will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 2.

      Matthew Lenz

      After 95 abysmal plate appearances this season, the San Diego Padres have DFA'd Jason Heyward.

      Heyward, 36, is slashing .176/.223/.271 with two home runs this season. That..."production"...is good for a 38 wRC+ and -0.5 fWAR.

      This likely marks the end of a solid, 15-year career for Heyward, who played in 1,824 games for the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Padres. A highly touted prospect, Heyward maybe didn't live up to those expectations but ended up as a 34.9 fWAR player for his career.

      Steve Drumwright

       

      Right-hander Matt Waldron will not be pitching out of the San Diego Padres' bullpen this weekend. Instead, he will be sitting on the injured list.

      The Padres on Friday placed Waldron on the 15-day IL with a right brachialis muscle injury. Right-handed reliever Alek Jacob was called up from Triple-A El Paso. The brachialis muscle is a muscle located in the upper arm under the biceps and the injury is typically called climber's elbow from its repetitive use.

      Waldron's spot on the roster was in jeopardy with the impending addition of right-handed starter Lucas Giolito, who signed with the Padres last month and is set to start perhaps Saturday, when he needs to be added to the MLB roster per language in his contract.

      Waldron started Tuesday's series opener vs. the Milwaukee Brewers, but gave up six runs on eight hits and two walks in 2⅔ innings. He then came on in relief Thursday, pitching two scoreless innings. Manager Craig Stammen said after Thursday's game that Waldron would be in the bullpen this weekend vs. the Seattle Mariners. In six games this year, two coming as the bulk pitcher following an opener, Waldron has an 8.49 ERA with seven walks and 22 strikeouts over 23⅓ innings. Waldron had replaced injured Opening Day starter Nick Pivetta in the rotation.

      Waldron is out of minor-league options, which is why his roster status within the organization is so precarious. This now keeps Waldron, who started the season on the 15-day IL following hemorrhoid surgery in spring training, in the organization for the foreseeable future.

      Jacob was up for a couple days in mid-April and appeared in just one game, throwing two shutout innings.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      On the first day following the World Series, as decisions can start to be officially made on 2027 contract situations, the San Diego Padres find themselves without an ace.

      As expected, right-handed starter Michael King opted out of the final two years of his three-year, $75 million contract Thursday and is now a free agent.

      The Padres still have an exclusive negotiating window until Monday to get a new contract done with King, but with the quick announcement of King opting out of the final two years and $58 million, he has probably pitched his last game for the Padres. King, who said he would like to return to the Padres, will be one of the top three starting pitchers and a key free agent overall this offseason. Our rankings at DiamondCentric have him as the No. 7 free agent.

      King received a qualifying offer last offseason, so is not eligible to receive that again.

      He re-signed with the Padres after injuries dampened his free-agent value last year, but rebounded with a completely healthy 2026 and developed into the Padres' No. 1 pitcher, especially in the postseason. He made all 32 starts in the regular season and posted a 3.21 ERA over a career-high 185 innings.

      The Padres' biggest option decision will have to do with their $14 million club option on right-hander Nick Pivetta. That decision has to be made no later than Monday.

       

      Steve Drumwright

      Right-hander Matt Waldron's chances to make the San Diego Padres' Opening Day starting rotation took a major hit when he had a medical procedure to treat an infection.

      New Padres manager Craig Stammen said Waldron, who features a knuckleball, is "week-to-week" after the procedure addressed the infection in his "rear end."

      The 29-year-old spent most of 2025 at Triple-A El Paso and made just one MLB start. But with room in the rotation this spring, Waldron entered camp as one of a handful of candidates for the last two spots. He is out of minor-league options, which means he needs to make the Opening Day roster or go on the 15-day injured list to avoid being designated for assignment.

      Waldron started 26 times (in 27 appearances) in 2024, putting up a 4.26 FIP. He walked 6.4% of batters and struck out 21.3%, solid numbers. By throwing the knuck

      Steve Drumwright

      Not that the San Diego Padres needed more depth in their bullpen, but you can never have too many arms. But this one will go into the bank in hopes of a future payoff.

      Veteran right-hander Jose Leclerc, who has closer experience but missed most of 2025 with an injury, is close to signing a minor-league contract with the San Diego Padres, MLB insider Mike Rodriguez reported Monday.

      The 32-year-old had lat surgery in August and is still working his way back, projected to return to action in July. To show his progress, Leclerc threw a bullpen session recently for a handful of teams.

      Leclerc pitched in just 10 games and nine innings last season for the A's, with his last appearance in late April.

      Before that, he had spent his entire eight-year career with the Texas Rangers, including being a big part of the bullpen that helped secure the 2023 World Series championship, getting four saves that postseason. He has 41 saves in 360 career games, posting a 3.54 FIP. He has struggled with walks in his career, with a 13.1% walk rate, but excels at strikeouts with a 30.8% rate. His walk rate was 11.1% in 2024.

      Steve Drumwright

       

      Shortly after announcing their 26-man roster for the NL Division Series, the San Diego Padres revealed a change.

      Right-hander Walker Buehler, who had been in consideration to start Game 1, went on the paternity list before Saturday's opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. Right-hander Randy Vasquez was added to the roster in Buehler's place.

      The paternity list allows for a player to be away from the team for up to three days. That would mean Buehler could rejoin the team in time for Game 3 back at Petco Park.

      Buehler's wife, McKenzie, was expected to give birth to the couple's second child Saturday.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

       

      Just over a month ago, Nick Pivetta walked off the mound in Lake Elsinore, looking like his season might be over. Now, the right-hander is set to rejoin the San Diego Padres for the final three weeks of the regular season.

      Pivetta will be activated from the 60-day injured list and start Monday's game against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park, manager Craig Stammen said following Sunday's 4-3 victory over the New York Yankees. Right-hander Randy Vasquez will move to a relief role, perhaps piggybacking Pivetta on Monday.

      The Padres will have to make moves regarding the 26- and 40-man rosters to accommodate Pivetta's return. One possibility on the 26-man roster would be sending right-hander Jhony Brito back to Triple-A El Paso, while designated hitter Miguel Andujar could be transferred to the 60-day IL.

      The 33-year-old has been out since mid-April with a strained right flexor in his right elbow. After being sidelined for a lengthy period, he began a rehab assignment Aug. 4 with fellow right-handed starter Joe Musgrove at Low-A Lake Elsinore. Musgrove started and his outing went well, but Pivetta walked off the mound after throwing his 14th pitch, saying that his elbow didn't feel right. However, he did throw about 30 pitches in a bullpen session that day, a good sign. But he returned a couple weeks later, making one start for Lake Elsinore and then one last weekend for Triple-A El Paso and looked good.

      Everyone involved in the process decided that if Pivetta came out of Saturday's bullpen session feeling good that he would start against the Nationals.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      San Diego Padres right-handed starter Randy Vasquez was back at the team hotel in Los Angeles on Friday morning after fainting Thursday night.

      Vasquez was nailed on the right ankle by a comebacker off the bat of Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts in the first inning of a 12-7 loss. Vasquez not only stayed in the game and finished the inning, but he went two more innings before being removed. As a precaution, he was en route to getting an X-ray on the ankle when he fainted at Dodger Stadium, manager Craig Stammen said on MLB Network Radio. Vasquez was then taken to a hospital.

      "That's great news in what could have been a really scary situation and definitely caught everybody off-guard," Stammen said. "But glad Randy's doing well, and X-rays were negative and all the tests came back pretty clean."

      Due to the fainting spell, the X-rays were not taken. Testing will be done to determine Vasquez's injury status.

       

       

      Steve Drumwright

      Merrill Kelly had dreams of living on Coronado and pitching at Petco Park with the San Diego Padres for the next three years. But California's high tax rate ultimately made the difference in the right-handed starter choosing to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

      The 37-year-old said Monday on the "Foul Territory" podcast that the Padres initially had the better deal for three years, but the D'backs eventually increased their two-year offer to make it worthy of turning down the Friars to remain in the desert.

      Kelly wound up getting a two-year, $40 million contract from the D'backs with a vesting option for 2028.

      "I don't think it's any secret on how much money you get taken out of your pocket when you go to California. There were a lot of factors that went into the three-year deal. It was definitely enticing, it definitely made the decision a lot harder to come back here. But once Arizona, once these guys got to the number they did, it made a lot of sense to come back here."

      California has a tax rate of 13% on incomes $1 million and above, while Arizona as a flat rate of 2.5%.

      "I love San Diego," Kelly said. "Like I said, they take too much money out of my pocket. The taxes over there are a different level. We had my numbers guy run the numbers and it just made more sense to come home — which is crazy on a two-year compared to a three-year (contract)."

      Kelly said he was close to choosing the Padres, but is happy to be able to not leave his family in the Phoenix area.

      "It worked out best for us because that was honestly our second choice," Kelly said. "It was between here and San Diego going into the offseason."

      Steve Drumwright

       

      It is official: Matt Waldron is back.

      As has been expected since Opening Day starter Nick Pivetta went on the injured list Tuesday, Waldron was activated from the 15-day injured list in order to start Friday's series opener against the Los Angeles Angels. Right-handed reliever Alek Jacob, who came up from Triple-A when Pivetta went on the IL, was sent back to El Paso.

      Waldron had been a candidate to make the Friars' rotation out of spring training, but that was interrupted when he required hemorrhoid surgery on Feb. 24. He was back pitching a couple weeks later, but with the additions of right-handed starters Walker Buehler and German Marquez, the Padres could slow play Waldron's return by putting him on the IL to start the season.

      Waldron has been on a rehab assignment at El Paso since the Triple-A season began and has performed very well. He made three starts for the Chihuahuas, tossing 12 scoreless innings, giving up seven hits and a walk against 12 strikeouts. Waldron's stay on the roster will depend on how well he performs as he is out of minor-league options.

      Jacob appeared in one of the three games he was active for, throwing two scoreless innings in Wednesday's 7-6 comeback victory over the Seattle Mariners.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      The late start to the season for Lucas Giolito has been interrupted.

      The San Diego Padres on Tuesday placed the right-handed starter on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his right elbow. Left-hander JP Sears was called up from Triple-A El Paso.

      Giolito, the last of MLB's top free agents to sign, signed a one-year, $3 million contract April 22, nearly a month after Opening Day, and spent another three-plus weeks getting his arm in game shape in the minors. But he has been inconsistent in his seven games, which included the last two with an opener to try and give him a path to success.

      But Giolito has produced a 6.07 FIP (5.16 ERA), with career worsts of a 16.7% walk rate and 13% strikeout rate. His last start came in Sunday's series finale against the Texas Rangers, a 4-3 loss, in which Giolito lasted just four innings, giving up all four runs on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

      Sears, the other piece the Padres got from the A's in the Mason Miller deal at last year's trade deadline, has been in the minors all season. In 14 starts, Sears has a 7.92 ERA with 28 walks and 62 strikeouts in 63⅔ innings.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      The long road back for Jhony Brito has officially taken him to Petco Park.

      The Padres called up the right-hander from Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday and optioned right-hander Alek Jacob back to Triple-A.

      Brito, one of the five players the Padres acquired from the New York Yankees in the Juan Soto trade in 2024, is back in the majors with the Friars for the first time since that 2024 season. Brito began the 2025 season by having an internal brace procedure on his right elbow and flexor tendon surgery that April. He began a rehab assignment in early May and pitched well in the minors before being activated from the 60-day injured list and being assigned to El Paso.

      In four starts for the Chihuahuas, Brito has a 0.96 ERA in 18⅔ innings with nine walks and 19 strikeouts.

      Brito is expected to make his season debut in a relief role Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, following starter German Marquez.

      Jacob was called up Friday and appeared in just one game, tossing a much-needed three innings in Monday's series-opening 8-0 loss to the D'backs.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      Jeremiah Estrada's stay on the injured list wasn't very long.

      The right-handed reliever was activated from the 15-day injured list Friday by the San Diego Padres, who formally announced right-handed reliever David Morgan being optioned to Triple-A El Paso, which happened Thursday.

      Estrada, a vital piece of the Friars' bullpen, had been on the IL since April 10 with tendinitis in his right elbow. He made just two rehab appearances, one last Friday for Low-A Lake Elsinore and another Tuesday for El Paso. Estrada pitched one inning in each appearance and didn't allow a hit or a run, walking one and striking out two combined.

      Estrada's velocity, which in part led to his IL placement, was back to its regular upper 90s after being about 5 mph slower before going on the IL.

      Activating Estrada still leaves left-hander Yuki Matsui on the verge of returning from his strained left groin. Matsui's rehab assignment started April 4, meaning it runs through this weekend before expiring.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      The experiment with German Marquez didn't work out for the San Diego Padres.

      The right-hander was designated for assignment Wednesday by the Padres as left-hander Robbie Ray was officially added to the 26-man roster. Ray was acquired Monday in a trade with the San Francisco Giants. The other pitcher picked up Monday, right-hander Casey Mize, is set to start Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

      Marquez had a 6.61 FIP (5.26 ERA) in 13 games, including a 10.2% walk rate and 15.7% strikeout rate. He was signed to a $1.75 million contract early in spring training after spending 10 years with the Colorado Rockies. He was expected to fill the back end of the Padres' rotation. His season got off to a roller-coaster start, allowing four runs in three of his first five starts while not allowing a run in the other two. After giving up seven runs and two homers on May 1 in an 8-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox at Petco Park, he went on the injured list with right forearm irritation.

      While a bit better, he still struggled when he returned July 2. His inconsistency knocked him out of the rotation and put him in the pitching chaos plan as a bulk guy. That worked out really well in his outing Friday, when he pitched five shutout innings to finish a 7-0 home victory over the San Francisco Giants.

      But the decisive blow may have come Tuesday, when he gave up four runs in the seventh inning, including two homers, in a 9-4 road win over the Diamondbacks.

      Ray is scheduled to start Friday against the Houston Astros to begin a three-game series at Petco Park.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      After being away from the team for the first two games of the NL Division Series, the San Diego Padres have one of their veteran pitchers back.

      Right-hander Walker Buehler was activated by the Padres from the paternity list Monday, with another right-hander, Randy Vasquez, being taken off the roster.

      Buehler and his wife, McKenzie, were expecting the birth of their second child Saturday, the same day of Game 1 of the best-of-five series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Buehler had been in consideration to start Game 1, but that assignment went to left-hander Robbie Ray, perhaps because Buehler was going to be with his wife. Right-hander Nick Pivetta is scheduled to start Game 3 on Wednesday, with Buehler a possibility for Game 4.

      Vasquez did not pitch in either of the first two games of the Division Series. He was left off the roster for the NL Wild Card Series after pitching six innings in the regular-season finale, leaving him unlikely to pitch in the best-of-three series that the Padres swept from the Chicago Cubs.

      The Padres return home to Petco Park for Game 3 of the Division Series facing a 2-0 deficit against the Brewers. The Padres won both of the Wild Card Series games at Petco Park after a 26-6 finish at home to conclude the regular season.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      Following his latest struggles and postgame admission, the San Diego Padres are giving Casey Mize some time to get right.

      The right-handed starter was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a sprained right ankle. In a big piece of good news, first baseman Gavin Sheets was activated off the 10-day IL and right-hander Griffin Canning was called up from the Arizona Complex League. Also, left-hander Kyle Hart was optioned to the ACL. Meanwhile, right-hander Alek Jacob, who was designated for assignment three days ago, cleared waivers and was outrighted to the ACL.

      Mize gave up seven runs in four innings during Friday's 11-4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He originally injured the ankle as he returned to the Padres' dugout after the second inning of his Aug. 22 start vs. the Minnesota Twins. He stumbled down the dugout stairs, but came out for the third inning, lasting only two more outs. Since then, Mize has surrendered 28 runs (23 earned) over 26⅔ innings. He said after Friday's game that the right ankle was still sore and affecting his mechanics. Mize, who has a 7.46 ERA in 10 starts since being acquired from the Detroit Tigers on Aug. 3, will be ineligible for the NL Wild Card Series and, if the Padres advance, the NL Division Series.

      Sheets is back after dealing with plantar fasciitis. He is hitting fifth for Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He went on the 10-day IL on Aug. 30, but has been working out recently at the Padres' complex in Peoria, Ariz. He is likely to have a bench role during the initial stages of the postseason. He has a .211/.313/.388 slash line with 16 homers and 46 RBIs in 123 games.

      Canning, who has been effective out of the bullpen, had been optioned to the ACL two days ago and was able to come back up so quickly due to Mize going on the IL. Hart's move is likely just to give him rest before the postseason.

      The Padres can clinch the No. 1 NL wild-card seed with a win in either of their last two games.

      Steve Drumwright

      A really deep San Diego Padres bullpen just got a wee bit thinner.

      Right-hander Bryan Hoeing, a candidate to make the Opening Day roster, will miss the entire 2026 season after deciding to have surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right arm, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Thursday.

      This comes after the 29-year-old was limited to just seven MLB appearances and 18 in the minors in 2025 due to elbow and shoulder issues. Hoeing was shut down about two weeks ago after experiencing elbow discomfort.

      He will be put on the injured list before Opening Day and moved to the 60-day IL when the Padres need space on the 40-man roster, which currently sits at 39. Right-handed starter Yu Darvish, who is negotiating a buyout of his contract after having an internal brace procedure on his right UCL, will also need to be put on the 60-day IL.

      Typical recovery for flexor tendon surgery is nine months, meaning Hoeing should be good to go next spring training.

      Acquired from the Miami Marlins at the 2024 trade deadline, Hoeing pitched in 18 games for the Friars that season, with a 3.38 FIP (1.52 ERA), with 5.8% walk rate and 20.9% strikeout rate in 20⅔ innings.

      Hoeing will be arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason.

      Steve Drumwright

      After surprisingly receiving a major-league contract this offseason, right-hander Daison Acosta is headed back to the minors before the season begins.

      The San Diego Padres announced Monday that the 27-year-old reliever had cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A El Paso. It had not been previously known that it had been designated for assignment. This leaves the Padres' 40-man roster at 39.

      Also, catcher Ethan Salas, the Friars' top position player prospect, was reassigned to minor-league camp. Salas had been a non-roster invitee to major-league camp.

      Acosta, who signed a one-year contract for the MLB minimum of $780,000 in early December, has spent his previous eight seasons in the minors, the first six with the New York Mets and the last two with the Washington Nationals. The Padres gave him that deal after Acosta finished the season with a 0.90 ERA in 26 games, striking out 46 in 30 innings at Double-A. But that came after he opened the season at Triple-A and put up a 5.57 ERA in 19 games.

      It could portend an outside addition or adding a non-roster player to the 40-man roster. The Friars also have another 40-man move to make before Opening Day, with Yu Darvish not pitching this season.

      Steve Drumwright

       

      The San Diego Padres' vaunted bullpen has taken a hit.

      Right-handed reliever Jeremiah Estrada was placed on the 15- day injured list by the Padres on Wednesday due to a right shoulder impingement. Right-handed reliever David Morgan was called up from the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas.

      Estrada last pitched in Monday's 3-2 loss in 12 innings to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He handled the 12th inning and gave up the go-ahead run on a leadoff single. For the season, Estrada has a 3.02 FIP (3.48 ERA) with a 12.7% walk rate and 30.2% strikeout rate over 31 innings and 33 games.

      This is Estrada's third trip to the IL this year. In April, he had right elbow tendinitis that kept him out three weeks, then Estrada missed nearly two months (June 5-July 29) due to right knee inflammation.

      Morgan is back with the Padres for the third time this season. He was optioned to Triple-A on April 30 following early struggles, then came back up June 5, replacing Estrada at that time, too. But he then landed on the 15-day IL on June 29 with inflammation in his left knee. Once healthy, he came off the IL and optioned to El Paso. He has a 4.08 FIP (4.50 ERA) and a walk rate of 12.4% and a strikeout rate of 24.8%.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      MLB on Monday suspended San Diego Padres right-handed reliever Ron Marinaccio three games and fined an undisclosed amount for hitting Baltimore Orioles star shortstop Gunnar Henderson with a pitch in Saturday's game.

      Marinaccio is appealing his suspension, so will remain on the active roster until that is heard.

      Padres manager Craig Stammen was also suspended one game. Managers can't appeal, so Stammen will sit out Monday's series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals. Bench coach Randy Knorr will run the team instead.

      The incident came with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

      In the top of the fifth, Padres star shortstop Xander Bogaerts was hit in the left earflap of his helmet by a pitch from Orioles right-handed starter Trey Gibson. Bogaerts had to leave the game an inning later after feeling woozy. No penalty was issued to Gibson.

       

      Steve Drumwright

      After the season he put together in 2025, David Morgan was hoping he had seen the last of El Paso. Unfortunately, he is headed back there after the first month of the 2026 season.

      The San Diego Padres optioned the right-handed reliever to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas on Thursday following a rough start to the season.

      The Padres will need to make a corresponding move before Friday's series opener against the Chicago White Sox. That is likely to be activating left-handed reliever Yuki Matsui off the 15-day injured list, with another possibility being activating right-handed reliever Jeremiah Estrada.

      Morgan was a surprise in the Padres' bullpen in 2025, appearing in 41 games with a 3.71 FIP (2.66 ERA) in 47⅓ innings following his first call-up to MLB. He had been an undrafted free agent who signed with the Padres in 2022 after finishing his career at Hope International University in Fullerton.

      But this year was a different story. In 11 appearances over 13⅓ innings, Morgan had a 5.74 FIP (6.30 ERA), including 11 walks and 15 strikeouts. His 11 walks are nearly half of what he issued last year (23). His latest outing came in Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs in which he allowed a run on a hit and a walk with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning. He came on with runners on first and second with one out in a 2-2 game in the top of the sixth and threw a wild pitch and gave up a go-ahead two-out two-run double to Nico Hoerner.

      Matsui went on the IL on March 25 with a strained groin and began a rehab assignment April 4. That assignment is due to end this weekend. He has allowed six runs on 10 hits with two walks and 13 strikeouts in 10⅔ innings for a 5.06 ERA at El Paso. He pitched multiple innings for the first time Sunday and followed that up with a one-inning appearance Wednesday.

      Estrada had made only two appearances, one at Low-A Lake Elsinore on Friday and the other with El Paso on Tuesday, as he recovers from right elbow tendinitis. He went on the IL on April 10.

       

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