San Diego Padres News

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Joe Musgrove • SP • Padres

Joe Musgrove Ready for Spring Training

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (elbow) is expected to be ready for the start of spring training in February, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Musgrove has been sidelined since October 2024 due to Tommy John surgery, but it sounds like he should be a full-go when the Padres report to Arizona next month. "I feel like I'm in a good position physically [and] mentally for the season," Musgrove said. Acee added that the veteran pitcher was preparing to be available for the NLCS if San Diego qualified, so the extra three months of recovery should only further verify that he's at full health. That's great news for the Padres and fantasy baseball managers. Musgrove projects to be the Padres' No. 3 starter, slotting in behind Michael King and Nick Pivetta. When he was last healthy in 2024, he pitched to a 3.74 xFIP with 9.12 K/9 and 2.08 BB/9 across 19 starts (99.2 innings). He hasn't pitched more than 100 innings since 2022, but the metrics from his last healthy campaign are very encouraging nonetheless. As it stands, Musgrove ranks as the #71 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.

2 days ago

Yu Darvish • SP • Padres

Yu Darvish Considering Retirement

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish's (elbow) agent, Joel Wolfe, said that no decision has been made on Darvish's retirement, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. A report earlier on Saturday said that Darvish was hanging up his cleats. "Yu has not made a final decision yet. This is a complicated matter we are still working through," Wolfe said. The 39-year-old veteran will not play at all in 2026 after having an internal-brace procedure and flexor-tendon surgery. Darvish is set to make $46 million over the next three seasons if he doesn't retire, but the Japanese legend doesn't appear to have much left in the tank. He has made a combined 31 starts in the last two seasons in San Diego and has gone 12-8 with a 4.28 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 146:41 K:BB in 153 2/3 innings pitched. The odds are against Darvish being a reliable fantasy pitching option in 2027 if he doesn't retire.

4 days ago

Jackson Merrill • CF • Padres

Jackson Merrill a Rebound Candidate With Improved Health in 2026

San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill was one of the stars of the 2024 MLB season, winning a Silver Slugger award and finishing ninth in the National League MVP vote as a rookie. However, the 22-year-old battled through injuries and underperformance in a disappointing 2025 sophomore campaign. Across 483 plate appearances overall, Merrill posted a .264/.317/.457 with 16 home runs, 67 RBI, 59 runs scored, and one stolen base. His strikeout rate rose from 17% in 2024 to 22.5% in 2025, and his slugging percentage dipped from .500 to .457. Entering 2026, Merrill should be back to full strength and could be in line for a bounce-back campaign. In addition to a potential rebound at the plate, improved lower-body health could help Merrill push closer to the 16 stolen bases he logged as a rookie. RotoBaller currently ranks Merrill as the number 16 outfielder in traditional rotisserie scoring fantasy formats.

4 days ago

Sung-Mun Song • 3B • Padres

Sung-Mun Song Suffers Oblique Injury

San Diego Padres infielder Sung-Mun Song (oblique) is expected to miss four weeks while recovering from an oblique injury that he suffered during a recent batting practice session, according to Jee-ho Yoo of Yonhap News Agency. Yoo notes that Song recently visited a clinic in Yokohama, Japan, to receive extensive treatment before arriving in Arizona for his first MLB spring training. The four-week timeline indicates that Song should be ready near the start of camp. The 29-year-old inked a deal with the Padres after an impressive two-year stretch in the KBO, during which he posted a .327 batting average with 45 home runs, 194 RBI, 46 stolen bases, a 10.6% walk rate, and a 14.3% strikeout rate. Song primarily played third base with the Kiwoom Heroes, but he also earned reps at second base and first base. His versatility gives him value with the Padres, whose left side of the infield is typically patrolled by Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts. As a result, he'll likely play second base for San Diego.

Jan 18

Joe Musgrove • SP • Padres

Joe Musgrove Won't Have Innings Limit in 2026

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (elbow) will not have an innings limit placed on him during the 2026 season. Padres manager Craig Stammen appeared on the Foul Territory podcast and explained that the right-hander is in a "great spot" following his recovery from Tommy John surgery and noted that the team is not planning to put an innings limit on him. The 33-year-old has not been on the bump since the 2024 campaign. During that season, he logged 99 1/3 innings to the tune of a 3.88 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP. He struck out 101 hitters and showed above-average command, allowing walks at a 5.6% rate. However, he generated a rather high 4.31 xERA. Musgrove is worth closely monitoring in spring training. He has sleeper appeal in deeper formats, especially if he can return to his 2022 form when he held a strong 2.93 ERA with a 1.08 WHIP.

Jan 14

Mason Miller • RP • Padres

Mason Miller Avoids Arbitration With Padres

Right-handed reliever Mason Miller and the San Diego Padres avoided salary arbitration and settled on a one-year, $4 million deal on Thursday, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. This is Miller's first year of arbitration eligibility. The 27-year-old flamethrowing closer began the 2025 season with the Athletics before being traded to the San Diego Padres in July. Miller had a combined 2.63 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 10 holds, 22 saves in 26 chances, 104 strikeouts, and 28 walks in his 61 2/3 innings during the regular season. There was talk of the Padres moving Miller to the starting rotation in 2026, but the team has pumped the brakes on that for now, and he's expected to be SD's primary closer next season. Since becoming a full-time reliever, Miller has been one of the most dominant bullpen arms in the game with a 43.1% strikeout rate the last two years. As a full-time closer for the Padres in 2026, he should be one of the first closers off the board in fantasy drafts this spring.

Jan 9

Michael King • SP • Padres

Padres Bring Michael King Back on Three-Year Deal

The San Diego Padres re-signed right-hander Michael King on a three-year, $75 million deal on Thursday night, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The deal includes a $12 million signing bonus, and then salaries of $5 million next year, a $28 million player option in 2027 ($5 million buyout), and a $30 million player option in 2028 (no buyout). It will either be worth $22 million for one year, $45 million for two seasons, or $75 million for three years. The 26-year-old was excellent in his first year in SD, sporting a 2.95 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with a career-high 201 strikeouts in 30 regular-season starts (173 2/3 frames). However, right-shoulder and knee injuries limited him to just 15 starts in 2025. King demonstrated in 2024 that he has the stuff to be a high-end fantasy starter in a good spot in SD, but that was also his only full season in the big leagues. It makes him a high-risk, high-reward pitching target in fantasy in 2026.

Dec 19

Triston McKenzie • SP • Padres

Padres, Triston McKenzie Agree to Minor-League Deal

The San Diego Padres have agreed to a minor-league deal with free-agent right-hander Triston McKenzie. McKenzie will also receive an invite to spring training. The 28-year-old has pitched just 97 innings over the last three seasons due to shoulder and elbow injuries. Last season, McKenzie allowed seven earned runs on seven hits and walked seven batters in 5 2/3 innings before being optioned to the minors. The long-time Guardian is determined to replicate his 2022 form, when he posted a 2.96 ERA (3.54 xERA) with a 25.6% strikeout rate and a 0.95 WHIP across a career-high 191 1/3 innings. Although it's a great story to see him back on the mound, it is unlikely he will make the team out of camp.

Dec 19

Yu Darvish • SP • Padres

Yu Darvish Considering Retirement?

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) may retire after completing rehab from his latest injury, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic. Over the weekend, Darvish spoke at a charity event and said he is focused on his rehab and is unsure if he will try to pitch again after the process is complete. The 39-year-old veteran underwent surgery in October to repair a flexor tendon and the UCL in his right elbow. Darvish is one of the most decorated Japanese pitchers in MLB history. Over his 13-year career, he has a 3.65 ERA with 2,075 strikeouts across 1,778 innings. Hopefully, we get to see the five-time All-Star pitch again, but if not, he had an amazing career.

Dec 17

Mason Miller • RP • Padres

Mets Among Teams Inquiring on Mason Miller

The New York Mets are among many MLB teams that are inquiring about San Diego Padres right-handed reliever Mason Miller, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. The Padres will listen to offers, but they "love him as much as anyone and would need to be overwhelmed." The Mets lost All-Star closer Edwin Diaz in free agency to the Los Angeles Dodgers, although they did sign reliever Devin Williams. In addition to Miller, the Mets could also be interested in trading for right-handed starter Nick Pivetta or outfielder Ramon Laureano. San Diego is looking to shed payroll and is reportedly interested in New York's prospects and younger position players. It's possible that the Friars also look to trade relievers Adrian Morejon and Jeremiah Estrada. Miller, who has been one of the hardest-throwing and most dominant closers in baseball the last couple of years, should be an elite closing target in fantasy baseball, regardless of where he's pitching in 2026.

Dec 15

Fernando Tatis Jr. • RF • Padres

Padres Not Considering Trading Fernando Tatis Jr.

San Diego Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller recently shut down any possible trade speculation surrounding outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr., telling Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune that Tatis is "somebody that we're not talking about." Preller has been known for making big moves in the trade market during his time in charge in San Diego, but it does not appear that the team is interested in trading away its superstar. Across 691 plate appearances for the Padres in 2025, Tatis Jr. slashed .268/.368/.446 with 25 home runs, 71 RBI, 111 runs scored, and 32 stolen bases. He upped his walk rate to a career high 12.9% while also slashing his strikeout rate to a career low 18.7%. San Diego has Tatis Jr. locked up under contract through 2034, so there is little impetus for the team to move him other than to save money or get back a monstrous haul of talent.

Dec 11

Nick Pivetta • SP • Padres

Padres Willing to Trade Nick Pivetta?

The San Diego Padres have shown a willingness to entertain trade offers for right-hander Nick Pivetta, league sources told The Athletic's Dennis Lin. However, a deal for Pivetta isn't considered likely, as the Padres would require a steep return for Pivetta, who was their best starter in 2025. The 32-year-old veteran's heavily backloaded contract will pay him $19 million next year, up from just $1 million in 2025. He can opt out of his deal next November with two years and $32 million still owed to him. Pivetta is coming off a career year in his first year in SD, in which he had a 2.87 ERA and finished sixth in the National League Cy Young voting. Trading Pivetta would weaken an already thin starting rotation, but the Padres and general manager A.J. Preller's options for rebalancing the payroll are limited. A trade of Pivetta could give the Friars the flexibility and resources to go after multiple controllable starters.

Dec 9

Mason Miller • RP • Padres

Padres Plan to Keep Mason Miller in the Bullpen

San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen said on Monday that the team will keep right-handers Mason Miller and David Morgan and left-hander Adrian Morejon in the bullpen next year rather than converting them to starters. "It's a risky proposition health-wise and performance-wise," Stammen said. ESPN's Alden Gonzalez reasonably notes that the Padres are very much in the market for starting arms this offseason after losing right-hander Dylan Cease to free agency. Free-agent righty Michael King is also expected to depart for a multi-year contract. The flamethrowing Miller would have been very intriguing for fantasy baseball purposes as a starter, but instead, he'll remain an elite closing target in San Diego with former ninth-inning arm Robert Suarez expected to leave in free agency. Miller has been one of the best relievers in the game the last two years, posting a 2.56 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and a dominant 43.1% strikeout rate in 126 2/3 innings.

Dec 9

Yu Darvish • SP • Padres

Yu Darvish to Miss All of 2026 Following Flexor-Tendon Surgery

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) will miss the entire 2026 season after having surgery to fix a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow that included an internal-brace procedure, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Darvish had the surgery last Wednesday with Dr. Keith Meister. The 39-year-old Japanese hurler only made 15 starts for the Friars during the 2025 regular season due to right-elbow issues, and he also missed some time with elbow injuries the previous two years. Darvish also had Tommy John surgery back in 2015. He's planning on returning to pitch for the Padres in 2027, but at his age, it's fair to wonder how much he has left in the tank. Darvish went 5-5 with a career-worst 5.38 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 68 strikeouts and 19 walks in 72 innings this year. The Padres will have a big need for starting rotation help this offseason, with Darvish injured and Michael King and Dylan Cease both free agents.

Nov 4

Dylan Cease • SP • Padres

Cubs to Pursue Dylan Cease in Free Agency

The Chicago Cubs are expected to add reinforcements to their starting rotation this offseason. According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs are planning to pursue free-agent right-hander Dylan Cease. This doesn't come as a surprise considering Cease is going to be one of the top arms in free agency. The 29-year-old is coming off a down year where he posted a 4.55 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and a 215/71 K/BB ratio across 32 starts with the San Diego Padres this past season. Despite a down year, Cease figures to get a hefty payday this offseason. The Cubs originally drafted Cease in the sixth round of the 2014 draft, but eventually traded him and Eloy Jimenez for Jose Quintana in 2017. This would be a nice full circle story, but there figures to be plenty of suitors for Cease.

Oct 26

Nestor Cortes • SP • Padres

Nestor Cortes Undergoes Surgery, Out Roughly 9-10 Months

San Diego Padres impending free-agent left-hander Nestor Cortes (biceps) had successful surgery to fix a small tendon tear in his left arm, according to Francys Romero. The 30-year-old Cuban southpaw is expected to return to baseball activities in roughly nine to 10 months. He will become a free agent at the conclusion of the World Series, but given his injury, he's expected to linger on the free-agent market going into the 2026 campaign. Cortes originally was put on the 15-day injured list by the Padres on Sept. 5 with a biceps injury, and now he will miss most, if not all, of next season. He made only two starts with the Milwaukee Brewers early in 2025 before getting hurt, and then he was traded to San Diego at the deadline over the summer. Overall, Cortes really struggled with the long ball, allowing 13 home runs in 34 1/3 innings while sporting a bloated 6.29 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in just eight starts combined.

Oct 17

Adrian Morejon • RP • Padres

Adrian Morejon in Consideration for Padres Rotation Role

San Diego Padres left-hander Adrian Morejon is reportedly being reevaluated for his role on the pitching staff, with a move from the bullpen to the rotation under consideration. The 26-year-old was outstanding in 2025, posting a 2.08 ERA, a 0.90 WHIP, and 75 appearances in relief. President of baseball operations and general manager AJ Preller has yet to voice a firm decision, but Morejon's consistency could earn him another shot as a starter. He has made nine career starts, with his most recent coming in 2023, and his success this season may prompt the Padres to expand his role.

Oct 15

Mason Miller • RP • Padres

Mason Miller Still in Play to Return to a Starting Role?

When asked about San Diego Padres flame-throwing right-hander Mason Miller potentially moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation next year, general manager AJ Preller said the team will have more communication with the players moving forward, according to 97.3 The Fan in San Diego. The 27-year-old came up in the Athletics' system as a starter, but he has spent the last two years as a full-time reliever and has been one of the most dominant bullpen arms in that time. He was a first-time All-Star with the A's in 2024 and was just as good this year with the A's and Padres, posting a 2.63 ERA, 0.91 ERA, 104:28 K:BB and an absurd 15.2 K/9 in 61 2/3 regular-season innings of relief. What route the Padres go with Miller will likely depend on what happens in free agency, as they could lose closer Robert Suarez and starters Michael King and Dylan Cease. It's hard to imagine Miller being any more effective as a starter, but a move to the rotation would immediately make him one of the most sought-after starting arms in fantasy in 2026.

Oct 14

Jose Iglesias • 2B • Padres

Jose Iglesias Suspended One Game for Unprofessional Conduct

San Diego Padres infielder Jose Iglesias was given a one-game suspension from Major League Baseball and an undisclosed fine for unprofessional conduct toward the umpires after Game 3 of the wild-card round at Wrigley Field when the Padres were eliminated by the Chicago Cubs, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts was also fined. Iglesias could appeal the decision, but if he loses, he'll have to sit out Opening Day of the 2026 season if he's on an active roster. The 35-year-old veteran utility infielder will be a free agent this winter and could have to settle on a minor-league deal if he wants to continue his career into a 14th season. The Cuban native is a solid clubhouse guy and has a great glove on the infield, but he's not on the fantasy radar as a utility infielder that can't hit. Iglesias had a weak .229/.298/.294 slash line with only three homers, 36 RBI, and five steals in 112 regular-season games with SD during the regular season.

Oct 10

Yu Darvish • SP • Padres

Yu Darvish Starting Game 3 Against Cubs

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish will start the win-or-go-home Game 3 of the NL wild-card series against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports. Darvish was a Cub from 2018-20, but his run with them ended when they traded him to the Padres a few months before the 2021 season began. Four years later, Darvish has a chance to help eliminate the Cubs from the postseason. The 39-year-old is coming off a difficult and injury-limited regular season, though, as he recorded a career-worst 5.38 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP and 68:19 K:BB over 15 starts and 72 innings. Darvish, who will oppose Cubs righty Jameson Taillon on Thursday, has pitched in 13 playoff games and gone 5-7 with a 3.77 ERA across 71 2/3 frames.

Oct 2

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