Padres right-handed pitcher Jason Adam He has his sights set on the Opening Day roster as he completes rehabilitation from a torn quadriceps tendon last year. The right-hander said three weeks ago that team doctors haven’t yet said “no” to that possibility. And Annie Heilbrunn of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Adam could soon return to play. He’s ahead of schedule in camp and scheduled to play his final simulated game this week before his Cactus League debut this weekend.
Adam, 34, is a key player in San Diego’s deep bullpen. Over the past four seasons, he has posted a 2.07 ERA with 92 holds, 24 saves, a 29.2% strikeout rate and an 8.4% walk rate in 256 2/3 innings between the Rays and Padres. If I’m healthy, I’ll join. Adrian Morejon and Jeremiah Estrada as one of the closer mason millerThis is the best setting option.
A healthy Adam also leads to a relatively crowded bullpen that could force the Friars to make some difficult decisions. Miller, Estrada, Morejon and Adam will free up bullpen spots. Probably the right one too david morgan (2025 ERA 2.64, 47 1/3 innings) is the same. left handed Wandy Peralta and Yuki Matsui We are offering a multi-year contract and have no options.
This group accounts for seven of the Padres’ eight bullpen spots. right handed Ron Marinachio The minor league option is gone. right handed bradley rodriguez He has a few years left as an option, but after a brief appearance last year, he performed exceptionally in camp. the right wing Matt Waldron He could start the season on the injured list, but with no minor league options, he would have to be added to the big league roster or designated for assignment. Brian Hoying He is currently sidelined with an elbow issue, but gives the Padres a third relief candidate whenever he is cleared to return.
Having more talented relievers than bullpen spots is certainly a good problem to have, all things considered, and depending on the injury timeline for Adam and a few of his teammates, the Friars may push back a bit on their 40-man decision early in the season. At some point, something will have to be given to one of the players who can’t be let go (whether due to contract or lack of minor league options).
This is especially true if the Padres want to consider breaking camp with participants who haven’t been invited to the big league club’s roster. veterans Walker Buehler, Marco Gonzalez and Tristan McKenzie I belong to that group, manager. Craig Stamman We’ve been talking about another former big leaguer for a potential bullpen job: a right-hander. Logan Gillaspie.
“He goes out and competes, has a lot of energy and passion, throws a lot of strikes and gets a lot of outs,” manager Craig Stammen told MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell when asked about Gillaspie. He noted that Gillaspie can be used in a multi-inning role and provide some length early in games when needed.
Gillaspie, 28, has pitched in each of the last four major league seasons, including 18 innings with San Diego during the 2024-25 season. He’s had good results overall, but Gillaspie is a familiar hand to many Padres coaches and is coming off a strong spring training (7 2/3 shutout frames, 8-to-2 K/BB ratio). Cassavell suggests Gillaspie is considered to have a real chance to make the club, especially if the Padres begin the season with several veterans on the injured list.
