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    Notes about the team are posted here.

    126 rumors in this category

      Billy Mock

      The Padres selected Ty Harvey, a high school catcher out of Inspiration Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Harvey is a Florida State commit.

      The high school catching demographic is one of, if not the riskiest, demographics to draft from, as they are particularly difficult to project. Regardless, Harvey was one of the top high school catchers on the board due to his power projection at the plate as well as his advanced defense behind the plate. 

      While he does have some of the best raw power in the prep class this year, there appear to be some holes in the swing as MLB Pipeline's description of Harvey states, "others have seen him pull the ball hard but struggle with pitches down in the zone because of a stiff setup." The good news is that he has displayed above-average bat-to-ball skills for a power hitter his age, so that should help him tap into his power at the next level. 

      Harvey is big for a catcher, standing in at 6'2" and 215 pounds with even more projection in his frame. However, it looks like he'll have a good shot at remaining behind the plate. MLB Pipeline states that, "Harvey has every chance to stick behind the plate, with good hands and solid receiving skills. He moves well, especially for his size."

      Steve Drumwright

      The San Diego Padres are still looking to add to their roster with spring training set to begin in just a few days, and two reports say they were in play for two free agents who agreed to deals this week.

      The first was the top pitcher on this year's free-agent market, left-hander Framber Valdez. Valdez agreed to a three-year, $115 million contract with the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. Jon Heyman, an insider for MLB Network and the New York Post, said the Friars "showed late interest" while also mentioning the Padres first among teams who were in contention for the two-time All-Star and 2022 World Series champion with the Houston Astros. The Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, and Baltimore Orioles were the other teams, aside from the Tigers.

      Then, following first baseman Paul Goldschmidt agreeing to a one-year deal to return to the New York Yankees on Friday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic noted that the Padres "were a finalist" for the 2022 NL MVP. Goldschmidt's salary for 2026 is expected to be less than $5 million.

      This comes on the heels of the Padres bringing in corner infielder-outfielder Miguel Andujar on a one-year, $4 million deal Thursday. Whether Andujar was Plan B after possibly being notified that Goldschmidt was going back to the Yankees, or if the Friars would have taken both, is unknown.

      There are still budget-friendly rotation options available.

      Steve Drumwright

      Needing a boost for the bench and another right-handed bat, the San Diego Padres are bringing in corner infielder/outfielder Miguel Andujar on a one-year, $4 million deal, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman and ESPN's Jeff Passan. The deal, reported Thursday, is pending a physical.

      Andujar, who turns 31 on March 2, will be in the mix as a right-handed bat at first base, a position he only has four MLB starts and seven games at. Three of those appearances at first came in 2025. He would be a platoon option at first with Jake Cronenworth and Gavin Sheets, both left-handed hitters, while also able to spell Ramon Laureano in left field.

      In 2025, Andujar turned in a solid performance while splitting time with the Athletics and then the Cincinnati Reds as a trade-deadline acquisition. He turned in a combined .318/.352/.470 slash line with 10 homers and 44 RBIs. Andujar, who made $3 million in 2025, was terrific after the trade, posting a .359/.400/.544 slash line, hitting four homers and driving in 17 in 34 games.

      That was his best offensive year since 2018, his rookie year with the New York Yankees. That year, he manned third base and slashed .297/.328/.527 with 27 homers and 92 RBIs, both still his career-best marks. He finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting to Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels, pulling in five first-place votes.

      Andujar was particularly effective against left-handed pitchers with a .389/.409/.578 slash line with four homers and 11 RBIs in just 44 plate appearances. His numbers against right-handers weren't too shabby, either, putting up a .290/.331/.429 line with six homers and 33 RBIs. Overall, he had a 5% walk rate and 14.4% strikeout rate.

      The 94 games played and 341 plate appearances were his most since his rookie season, having battled a variety of injuries over the years, including knee and shoulder surgeries.

      The Padres were in need of a bench upgrade and Andujar's ability to play multiple positions makes a thin reserve unit much better.

      Steve Drumwright

       

      The Alex Verdugo era with the San Diego Padres never had a chance to take off.

      The Padres on Monday released the outfielder. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune said the left shoulder injury that Verdugo had sustained about a month ago will require surgery, which would sideline him the entire season.

      Verdugo signed a minor-league contract with the Padres at the beginning of March, perhaps with a chance to eventually contribute to the major-league roster. But that never materialized.

      The 29-year-old was released by Atlanta in July after posting a slash line of .239/.296/.289 with no homers and 12 RBIs. He didn't play in a minor-league game with the Padres.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

       

      Looking for a jolt in their moribund offense, the San Diego Padres are dipping down into the minors for some help.

      Outfielder Jase Bowen is set to be called up from Triple-A El Paso by the Padres to make his MLB debut before Tuesday's series opening against the Philadelphia Phillies, ESPN's Kiley McDaniel reported Monday. A corresponding move to get Bowen on the 26-man and 40-man rosters will be needed.

      The 25-year-old Bowen has been one of the Chihuahuas' best hitters all season, posting a slash line of .292/.362/.600 with 13 homers and 36 RBIs. His 13 homers are second in the Pacific Coast League and his 36 RBIs are tied for the team lead with Mason McCoy. Bowen notched his 13th home in Sunday's 8-7 loss to the Albuquerque Isotopes. Bowen also has seven steals in 11 chances.

      Bowen ranks in the top five in the PCL not only in homers, but in slugging percentage (.362), triples (5), extra-base hits (29), total hits (57) and runs (48).

      The Padres rank last in MLB with a .218 batting average and next-to-last with a .656 OPS.

      An 11th-round draft choice by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019 out of Central Catholic High School in Toledo, Ohio, the two-sport star turned down a football scholarship to Michigan State, where he would have been a wide receiver, to sign. Bowen joined the Padres this offseason on a minor-league contract after becoming a six-year free agent.

      In spring training, Bowen tied for the team lead with four homers and drove in 11 while also stealing a team-high seven bases.

      Who Bowen takes over for is another question. The Padres could opt to send infielder Sung Mun Song back down to Triple-A. Song has been a backup and late-inning defensive replacement at second base since Jake Cronenworth went on the seven-day concussion list May 5. It is not known when Cronenworth might return. Fernando Tatis Jr., the Platinum Glove right fielder, has been starting most of the time at second base. Two other possibilities are in the outfield. One would be a simple swap of Bowen for Bryce Johnson, the current backup outfielder. The other would solve both roster issues: designating Nick Castellanos for assignment.

       

       

      Steve Drumwright

      With players from all around MLB getting ready to leave for their World Baseball Classic camps, there is one member of the San Diego Padres who will be sticking around.

      Left-handed reliever Yuki Matsui, who sustained a minor left groin strain a week ago, will not participate in the WBC with Japan, Matsui said Thursday. His status for Opening Day with the Friars is to be determined. Matsui is a key member of one of MLB's best bullpen's.

      “It’s pretty disappointing,” Matsui told assembled media through interpreter Ike Ogata. “Especially since I didn’t do so well at the last WBC and I was looking forward to playing in this one. But that’s not the only thing. It’s baseball. I’m trying to move on, to get the best preparation for the season and to play for the Padres.”

       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

      A post shared by 97.3 The Fan (@973thefan)

      The 30-year-old was injured during a live batting practice session and knew then that he wouldn't be able to play in the WBC, but he and Japan wanted to wait to see how the recovery progressed before making his absence official. Matsui was replaced on Japan's roster by left-hander Yumeto Kanemaru.

      "Right now, I’m just continuing the throwing progression, throwing program, getting intensities and distances of (playing) catch back up,” Matsui said. “Once it’s good enough, good enough intensity, then I’ll start throwing off the mound. But as to when, we don’t know yet. … We’re not sure yet (about Opening Day)."

      Matsui, who has. 4.40 FIP (3.86 ERA) in his first two MLB seasons, will continue the rehab process at spring camp in Peoria, Ariz., and manager Craig Stammen said it could be beneficial to the pitcher and the team.

      "It also, on the bright side, allows him to ramp up for the season properly, we don't have to rush it," Stammen said. "He'll be here with us, with our trainers, our doctors to get ready. He's started throwing. We'll ease him back into competition and see how that shakes out by the end of spring training."

       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

      A post shared by 97.3 The Fan (@973thefan)

      Steve Drumwright

      The San Diego Padres made their first roster reductions at spring training camp, reassigning three players to minor-league camp.

      One of those players is left-handed starter Jagger Haynes, who has a chance to make his MLB debut later this season. Haynes and fellow left-handers Omar Cruz and Ryan Och were non-roster invites to spring camp with no realistic chance of making the Opening Day roster. These moves leave the Friars with 67 players in big-league camp.

      Haynes, who dropped from No. 10 in the Padres' system at the end of 2025 to No. 15 in just-released rankings by MLB Pipeline, is expected to begin the season at Triple-A El Paso. A fifth-round pick in 2020, the 23-year-old has had Tommy John surgery and overcome blister and shoulder injuries in his first couple of pro seasons, but remained healthy in 2024 and 2025. At Double-A San Antonio last year, Haynes had a 4.11 ERA in 103 innings over 26 games, all but one as a starter. He needs to improve his control, having walked 5.4 batters per nine innings with San Antonio, while striking out a modest 8.8 per nine.

      Haynes appeared in three Cactus League games, pitching four innings with no walks and one strikeout.

      Cruz made his MLB debut with the Padres in 2025 with two relief appearances. Och, the Friars' seventh-round choice in 2021, spent all of last season at San Antonio, posting a 3.46 ERA in 45 games, and should be joining Haynes at El Paso for 2025.

      Steve Drumwright

      There is another addition to the San Diego Padres' outfield competition.

      Alex Verdugo, a left-handed hitter released by Atlanta last season, agreed to a minor-league contract with the Padres, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Sunday. The deal will become official once the 29-year-old passes a physical.

      A left-handed hitter, Verdugo was designated for assignment and released by Atlanta in July following the return of former Friars outfielder Jurickson Profar after serving an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. Verdugo, who had signed a $1.5 million contract with Atlanta, had put up a meager .239/.296/.289 slash line with no homers and 12 RBIs in 213 plate appearances over 56 games. That was a second consecutive poor offensive year for Verdugo, who posted a .233/.291/.356 slash line in 2024 with the New York Yankees, with 13 homers and 61 RBIs in 149 games.

      Verdugo's career numbers show there could still be some production left. His career slash line is .270/.326/.406, mostly done between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox over his first seven MLB seasons. His 13 homers in 2024 matched his career high, accomplished twice.

      Verdugo now jumps into the mix with Bryce Johnson for a backup outfield role. Johnson does not have any minor-league options remaining. Verdugo is mainly a corner outfielder, but does also play center.

      Steve Drumwright

       

      The writing has been on the wall for Matt Waldron. An injury delayed a decision earlier in the season. There was no avoiding it now.

      Waldron, one of the few MLB pitchers who still throws a knuckleball, was designated for assignment by the San Diego Padres on Wednesday as right-handed reliever Jeremiah Estrada was activated from the 15-day injured list. Estrada had been on the IL since June 5 with inflammation in his right knee.

      Waldron, who is out of minor-league options, was on the verge of being DFA'd when he revealed he had been hurting and hiding an injury, which ended up being a right brachialis muscle injury that put him on the 15-day IL on May 15 after six appearances and an 8.49 ERA. He came back July 11 and has made four solid relief appearances, but was the obvious off man out with Estrada coming back. Waldron has a 5.10 FIP (7.16 ERA) with a 5.4% walk rate and 19% strikeout rate in 10 games and 32⅔ innings.

      It is possible Waldron remains with the Padres if he clears waivers.

      Estrada is a valuable member of the Padres' bullpen, posting a 3.60 FIP (3.48 ERA) with a 12.2% walk rate and 28% strikeout rate.

       

      Steve Drumwright

      The San Diego Padres will be stuck in the Mud for a few more years.

      In this case, that's actually a good thing.

      Television analyst Don "Mudcat" Grant has agreed to a multi-year extension with the Friars, keeping one of MLB's top announcing teams together. The move was reported Thursday by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Don Orsillo, the team's play-by-play announcer for TV games, signed a multi-year extension last spring.

      Grant is a former right-hander pitcher who spent parts of four (1987-90) of his eight MLB seasons in a Padres uniform. He has been an analyst for Friars television since 1996, following his last in 1993. The Union-Tribune said Grant had been operating on a series of one-year deals. Orsillo has been calling Friars games since 2016.

      Together, they form not only an informative tandem, but a hilarious one as well. Grant is either providing most of the humor or the subject of it.

      They are scheduled to call their first game of the spring tonight at 6:10 p.m. on Friars.tv as the Padres play the Chicago White Sox.

      Steve Drumwright

       

      After a poor experience with the Milwaukee Brewers, infielder Luis Rengifo is getting a chance with the San Diego Padres.

      Rengifo, a second baseman-third baseman, has signed a minor-league contract with the San Diego Padres, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reported Friday. Rengifo was released by the Brewers after putting up a .205/.280/.254 slash line with no homers and 19 RBIs in 57 games while starting at third base.

      Rengifo will report to Triple-A El Paso.

      The Brewers signed Rengifo to a one-year, $3.5 million contract just before spring training following the trade of Caleb Durbin to the Boston Red Sox. The Brewers are on the hook for the remainder of the contract, except for the prorated minimum that the Padres will be paying Rengifo.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      Sung-Mun Song is finally getting his chance.

      After a spring training interrupted by a second oblique injury that cost him a spot on the Opening Day roster, the South Korean infielder was called up by the San Diego Padres on Saturday to make his MLB debut this weekend. Song is the extra player for the two-game Mexico City Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks and will have to be returned to Triple-A El Paso following Sunday's game, barring an injury to a position player.

      The 29-year-old Song, a key signing in the offseason, was close to being able to start the season with the Padres, but he still needed some at-bats and was put on the 15-day injured list. He started a rehab assignment with El Paso and spent the maximum 20 days there. With no room on the 26-man roster and no one underperforming, Song was optioned to Triple-A.

      Song has done well at El Paso, with a slash line of .293/.369/.320 with no homers and 12 RBIs in 20 games. He has not attempted a stolen base. Now Song will get a chance to make his MLB debut in the high altitude of Mexico City.

       

      Steve Drumwright

      The Dominican Republic's World Baseball Classic roster will include the San Diego Padres' two biggest stars.

      That came after third baseman Manny Machado was announced as part of the team. Previously, right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. was named to the roster.

      The deadline to finalize rosters is Tuesday, with official announcements made by the WBC on Thursday.

       

      This will be Machado's third appearance in the WBC, having played in 2017 and 2023 (no tournament was held in 2020 due to the pandemic). Machado is the latest to become an official member of the team. Superstar New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto was named Sunday, and Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena earlier Monday.

      The Dominican Republic typically has the strongest roster of all the WBC teams.

      Steve Drumwright

      The San Diego Padres could have a new owner as soon as next week.

      According to a report Thursday by Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the Seidler family is nearing a decision among a group of four suitors. The sale is expected to be for at least $3.5 million, which would eclipse the previous record for an MLB team of $2.42 million by Steve Cohen for the New York Mets in 2020.

      The four bidders are two owners of English Premier League men's soccer teams, Chelsea's Jose A. Feliciano and Everton's Dan Friedkin, and two NBA owners, Tom Gores of the Detroit Pistons and Joe Lacob of the Golden State Warriors and WNBA's Golden State Valkyries.

      The Athletic reported that each submitted final bids this week.

      The Padres were recently valued at $3.1 billion by Forbes, up from $1.9 billion a year ago.

      Peter Seidler, whose death in November 2024 set off this process, and Ron Fowler bought the Padres in 2012 for $800 million.

      Steve Drumwright

      The San Diego Padres are bringing Ty France with them to Opening Day.

      The Friars told the former San Diego State standout that he will be on the roster to begin the season, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Saturday. As a non-roster player in camp, the infielder will have to be added to the 40-man roster. The move comes a day after right-handed starter Walker Buehler was told he will be on the Opening Day roster.

      France signed a minor-league deal after camp began, which called for his salary to be $1.35 million once added to the Padres' roster. The Padres had faced a Saturday deadline to inform them of their decision or have him possibly opt-out of his contract.

      In winning the final spot on the bench, France has had a really good spring, putting up a .318/.367/.545 slash line with two homers with 12 RBIs in 44 at-bats. Last year's AL Gold Glove first baseman has displayed his positional versatility, playing second and third base this spring. France has played second base in an MLB game three times over the last four years and 55 times since his MLB debut with the Padres in 2019. He has not played third base since the 2022 season.

      But as a member of the Padres' bench for 2026, France is likely to see action at both spots early in the season, especially with Sung Mun Song expected to start the season on the injured list. Adding France means the four-person bench will likely include him, catcher Luis Campusano, outfielder-infielder Miguel Andujar, and outfielder Bryce Johnson.

      France started the 2025 season with the Minnesota Twins, but was traded at the deadline to the Toronto Blue Jays, where he played sparingly as the team made a run to the World Series.

      Steve Drumwright

      If A.J. Preller has a significant other, they might not be happy with how he has spent his Valentine's Day. However, San Diego Padres fans are at least enjoying Preller's work.

      In their third move of the day, the Friars are bringing in a second contender for the starting rotation, agreeing to a one-year deal with right-hander German Marquez, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Financial terms were not immediately available.

      The former Colorado Rockies ace's deal comes hours after right-hander Griffin Canning was added to the rotation competition by Preller, the Padres' president of baseball operations. Preller also cut a deal with first baseman-outfielder Nick Castellanos on Saturday.

      Like the other two, the Marquez deal is pending the pitcher passing a physical. The Padres entered Saturday with 39 players on their 40-man roster, so two corresponding moves, perhaps with injured players, will need to be made.

      He should benefit from the change of scenery from the pitcher-unfriendly Coors Field to Petco Park. Marquez had a rough 2025 in his first action since undergoing Tommy John surgery at the start of the 2024 season. He made 26 starts and posted a 5.47 FIP (6.70 ERA).

      Following a 3.28 FIP in an MLB-best 13 starts in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Marquez was an All-Star in 2021 and had a 3.86 FIP. In his 10-year career, all with the Rockies, he has a 7.2% walk rate and 21.8% strikeout rate.

      Steve Drumwright

      The San Diego Padres added yet another arm to the free-for-all competition for one of the last two spots in their 2026 starting rotation.

      Right-hander Walker Buehler, who recorded the final out of the 2024 World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is joining the Friars on a minor-league deal, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Monday. The 31-year-old Buehler pitched last season for the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies, posting a combined 5.66 FIP (4.93 ERA) in 126 innings over 24 starts and two relief appearances.

      Buehler has struggled since having Tommy John surgery in August 2022. He returned to the Dodgers midway through the 2024 season, making 16 starts and compiling a 5.54 FIP over 75⅓ innings. Buehler was once one of the Dodgers' top starters, finishing fourth in the NL Cy Young Award balloting in 2021 and ninth in 2019. He also finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2018.

      He becomes the third low-cost addition in the last three days to the battle for the final two spots. Right-handers German Marquez and Griffin Canning agreed to major-league deals over the weekend, with the Padres formalizing Marquez's signing Monday of a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2027. Canning, coming back from an Achilles injury, has yet to formally sign his one-year deal with the Friars. Right-hander Jhony Brito (elbow surgery) was put on the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster. Another move, also likely involving the IL, must be made to add Canning.

      Those three along with right-hander Randy Vasquez, left-hander JP Sears and nonroster invitees Marco Gonzalez, a left-hander, and right-hander Triston McKenzie are the top contenders for the rotation behind right-handers Nick Pivetta, Michael King and Joe Musgrove. Musgrove is throwing in the early days of camp after coming back from Tommy John surgery.

      Buehler rejected the qualifying offer from the Dodgers following the 2024 season and became a free agent, signing with the Red Sox for $21.05 million, the same amount as the QO.

      Steve Drumwright

      Samad Taylor, an infielder-outfielder who has seen MLB action with two teams, has reportedly signed a minor-league contract with the San Diego Padres. Taylor also received a non-roster invite to spring training.

      The 27-year-old was a 10th-round draft choice by Cleveland in the 2016 draft out of Corona High School, about 90 minutes north of San Diego. Taylor was recently designated for assignment by the Seattle Mariners and elected free agency.

      Taylor has appeared in 38 MLB games, including seven over the past two seasons with the Mariners. He made his MLB debut in 2023 with the Kansas City Royals, playing in 31 games. Taylor has a career slash line of .205/.272/.260 with no homers, four RBIs, and eight stolen bases.

      He was dealt by Cleveland at the 2017 trade deadline, with left-hander Thomas Pannone to the Toronto Blue Jays for right-hander Joe Smith. At the 2022 deadline, he was shipped to the Royals with right-hander Max Castillo for second baseman Whit Merrifield. Taylor was on the move once again in January 2024, going from the Royals to the Mariners for a player to be named, which became right-hander Natanael Garabitos.

      Taylor will battle for the last outfield spot on the Padres' roster with the likes of Tirso Ornelas.

      Steve Drumwright

       

      The San Diego Padres are going to be without a clutch player for at least Friday and perhaps the entire weekend—for a good reason.

      First baseman Ty France was placed on the paternity list as his wife, Magdalena, is expecting twins. Infielder Mason McCoy was called up from Triple-A El Paso.

      France could be away for up to three days. The couple already have a son, 2-year-old Luka.

      After signing a minor-league contract at the beginning of spring training, France has slowly become the Padres' regular first baseman and is having a career year, posting a slash line of .294/.363/.510, matching his career best with 20 homers while also driving 63 runs and playing a terrific first base after winning the AL Gold Glove last year.

      McCoy will be making his first appearance in a Padres uniform this season, having spent the entire year at El Paso. There, he has a .284/.359/.408 slash line with 10 homers and 67 RBIs. He also has a Pacific Coast League-best 37 steals, surpassing his previous career high of 25 (2023-24).

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      Get ready for a little bit of dad strength this week.

      First baseman Ty France was activated from the paternity list Monday by the San Diego Padres. France and his wife, Magdalena, were expecting twins. The couple also have a 2-year-old son, Luka. France is expected to be in the lineup for Monday's series opener against the Colorado Rockies in Denver. The Friars have a 2½-game lead for the third and final NL wild card over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

      To make room for France, infielder Mason McCoy was optioned back to Triple-A El Paso for the final week of the Chihuahuas' season. McCoy came up Friday for the three-game series against the San Francisco Giants, but did not play.

      France has been a boon for the Padres this year, compiling a .294/.363/.510 slash line with 20 homers, matching his career best, 63 RBIs and anchoring the defense at first base.

      There could be two more activations coming, perhaps Monday or during the Rockies series. Those would be designated hitter-left fielder Miguel Andujar, who has been on a rehab assignment at El Paso, and right-handed reliever Jason Adam, who made a rehab appearance Sunday for the Chihuahuas.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      The Reaper is heading to the All-Star Game.

      Right-handed closer Mason Miller was the only San Diego Padres player selected Saturday to the NL roster for the All-Star Game on July 14 at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park.

      Miller, in his first full season with the Padres after being acquired at last year’s trade deadline, is an All-Star for the second time in his four-year career, having also been picked in 2024. Miller is tied for the NL lead in saves with 21 without blowing a save. Jhoan Duran of the Philadelphia Phillies and Riley O’Brien of the St. Louis Cardinals also had 21 entering Saturday.

      Miller has struck out an amazing 50% of the hitters he has faced. Miller has not allowed an extra-base hit all season and has five of his 14 career four-out saves this year. He has a 0.78 ERA and a .136 opponent batting average in 34⅔ innings.

      The nine starters for each team were determined by two rounds of fan balloting, with Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement getting automatically selected to start by virtue of leading the first round in the NL and AL, respectively.

      The 23 reserves, which includes 12 pitchers as that position is not up for voting, are selected by player voting and the Commissioner's Office, which ensures that each team has a representative in the game.

       

      Steve Drumwright

      The San Diego Padres have already landed a big fish in their 2027 international class.

      Right-hander Yoel King, a 16-year-old Dominican who is already lighting up radar guns with 100 mph fastballs, has a pre-agreement to join the Friars in next year's signing class. The Padres are set to give King a huge signing bonus.

      A pre-agreement is nonbinding, but is typical of how signing international prospects works. King has made a commitment to the Padres. The next international signing window opens Jan. 15.

      King also looks like he could step into a rotation immediately. According to one video, he is already 6-foot-5 and has a very well-built frame for a player his age.

      King would represent a huge building block as the Padres need to replenish their farm system following numerous trades that have left the cupboard barren. The Padres are at or near the bottom of many system rankings by various outlets.

      Steve Drumwright

       

      In a surprising development, the San Diego Padres are losing one of their more productive hitters.

      Designated hitter Miguel Andjuar was placed on the 10-day injured list before Monday's series opener against Atlanta due to a fractured right wrist. Catcher Rodolfo Duran was called up from Triple-A El Paso. A wrist fracture likely means Andujar is out at least a month if not more.

      Andujar, who went 0-for-4 with a walk, and Manny Machado (0-for-2, two walks), were the only Padres starting position players who did not get a hit in Sunday's 19-2 win in the series finale against the Kansas City Royals. Andujar began the game as the DH, but then shifted to third base when Machado was pulled in the eighth inning and then went to first base in the ninth. Andujar handled just one defensive chance, the game-ending groundout that he flipped to pitcher Wandy Peralta, who covered first base. He did not appear to be injured on the play.

      Andujar, signed in the offseason to be a key right-handed bat, has produced a .259/.303/.423 slash line with five homers and 22 RBIs and a team-leading 20 doubles. Depending on how the next two weeks sorted out, Andujar was a strong candidate to be traded before the Aug. 3 deadline.

      Duran's call-up likely means catcher Luis Campusano gets some time at DH, with Duran and Freddy Fermin splitting catching duties. Duran made his MLB debut this season after 11 years in the minors and had a .146/.222/.305 slash line with three homers and eight RBIs in 36 games.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      Just as the San Diego Padres' offense appears to be picking up steam, they get back one of their key bats.

      Designated hitter Miguel Andujar was activated off the 10-day injured list Sunday by the Padres, with outfielder Nick Solak designated for assignment. Andujar missed the minimum time while dealing with a minor strain of his left hamstring.

      Andujar, a key right-handed bat, was slashing .254/.288/.418 with five homers and 17 RBIs when he went on the IL. His 12 doubles are just one off the team lead, shared by Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill and Gavin Sheets, despite playing 20 fewer games than two of those players.

      Solak came up from Triple-A El Paso when Andujar went on the IL. He appeared in four games and went 1-for-7 with a walk and an RBI.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      Baseball's best closer will be away from the San Diego Padres for a few days.

      Right-hander Mason Miller was placed on the bereavement-family medical leave list Monday by the Friars, who called up left-hander Kyle Hart from Triple-A El Paso. Also, outfielder Bryce Johnson, who was designated for assignment Friday, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A.

      The Padres open a three-game road series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

      Miller is second in MLB with 19 saves in 19 chances with a 0.37 FIP (0.90 ERA) after earning a four-out save in Sunday's 5-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Miller, who fanned three Sunday, has 59 strikeouts in 30 innings, has an incredible 51.8% strikeout rate.

      Hart is with the Padres for a second time this season after making the Opening Day roster. In 12 MLB appearances and 16⅔ innings this year, Hart has a 3.35 FIP (5.40 ERA) with an 8.8% walk rate and 14.7% strikeout rate. At Triple-A, Hart has pitched 14⅔ innings over 11 games for a 7.36 ERA, with nine walks and 15 strikeouts.

       

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