San Diego Padres News

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Manny Machado • 3B • Padres

Manny Machado Back in Lineup Following Foot Injury

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado is back at the hot corner and is batting cleanup for the Friars in Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks and right-hander Merrill Kelly, per MLB.com. Machado didn't play in Wednesday night's 10-4 victory over the Snakes as a precaution after fouling a ball off his foot in Tuesday's win, but he'll be right back in there after just one day off. The 34-year-old seven-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner has 18 home runs in his 15th year in the big leagues, but he's also hitting a career-low .188 (61-for-324) with a career-high 22.7% strikeout rate in 374 plate appearances in 2026. Machado has picked things up a bit of late, though, going 15-for-59 (.254) with six home runs, five doubles, 15 RBI, 11 runs scored, and a stolen base in his last 17 games, dating back to June 20. He has plenty of experience against Kelly, but he's hit just .159 against him with a .458 OPS, one homer, and four RBI in 44 career at-bats.

7 hours ago

Michael King • SP • Padres

Should Fantasy Managers Look to Sell High on Michael King?

Across 108 1/3 innings (19 starts) in 2026, San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King has recorded a 6-7 record with a 3.41 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts. On the surface, King's numbers appear to be right in line with the quality level that he has established in recent seasons. However, the veteran right-hander's strikeout rate continues to decline. After posting a 27.7% strikeout rate in his first year with the Padres in 2024, King's strikeout rate fell to 24.7% in 2025 and is now down to 20.8% in 2026. King's 11.1% K-BB rate is below-average, and both his xERA (4.55) and FIP (4.03) suggest that he's currently outpitching his peripherals. The 31-year-old has also dealt with myriad injury issues in his career and has reached his current innings workload in just one other season. Between his declining strikeout rate and his shaky health track record, King might be a sell-high candidate for fantasy managers ahead of the All-Star break.

13 hours ago

Nick Pivetta • SP • Padres

Nick Pivetta Throws Bullpen on Tuesday

San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (forearm) threw a bullpen and did some fielding practice on Tuesday at Petco Park, according to Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Pivetta is slowly making progress after landing on the injured list in mid-April with a flexor strain in his right forearm. He was eventually moved to the 60-day IL, and barring a setback as he continues to ramp up his arm, a best-case scenario is probably for Pivetta to return to San Diego's starting rotation at some point in August. The 33-year-old Canadian was the Friars' best starting pitcher in 2025 in his first year with the club, going 13-5 with a 2.87 ERA (3.49 FIP) and 0.98 WHIP with a career-high 190 strikeouts and 50 walks in 181 2/3 innings across 31 starts. He went 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA (1.24 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with a 24:6 K:BB in 16 innings over four starts in 2026 before injuring his forearm. The expectation is that Pivetta will return in the second half, which has made him stash-worthy in the majority of fantasy leagues. Pivetta is currently rostered in 72% of Yahoo leagues.

2 days ago

Jason Adam • RP • Padres

Jason Adam Expected to be Out Until August

An MRI exam on San Diego Padres right-handed reliever Jason Adam's right shoulder showed no major structural damage, instead just a strain in the subscapularis muscle, according to MLB.com. Adam expressed hope that he can return from the 15-day injured list in early-to-mid August after landing on the IL on July 2. The 34-year-old veteran suffered a season-ending thigh injury late in the second half last season and hasn't been quite the same for the Friars as a high-end setup guy in 2026, going 2-2 with a 2.51 ERA (4.69 FIP), 1.17 WHIP, two saves, 22 strikeouts, and eight walks in 32 1/3 innings out of the bullpen in his second full season in San Diego. In fantasy baseball leagues that count holds, though, Adam is deserving of a roster spot, as he currently ranks seventh in baseball with 17 holds. Until he's able to make his way back to the Padres' bullpen in August, both lefty Adrian Morejon and righty Bradgley Rodriguez will be tasked with more high-leverage setup spots late in games in front of flamethrowing closer Mason Miller.

2 days ago

Randy Vásquez • SP • Padres

Randy Vasquez Goes on Injured List With Ankle Bruise

San Diego Padres right-hander Randy Vasquez (ankle) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday with a bruised right ankle, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Right-handed reliever Alek Jacob was recalled from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move. Vasquez took a line drive off his right ankle in the first inning of his start on Thursday night against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and was pulled after just three innings. He then fainted on his way to get X-rays and was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Even though X-rays came back negative and he was released from the hospital on Friday, he will miss the next two weeks and won't be a candidate to rejoin San Diego's starting rotation until after the All-Star break in mid-July. The 27-year-old allowed four earned runs in just three innings on Thursday night and has surrendered 24 runs (20 earned) on 37 hits (five homers) while walking nine and striking out 10 in 18 2/3 innings in his last five starts. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues shouldn't be holding Vasquez while he recovers.

6 days ago

Randy Vásquez • SP • Padres

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Randy Vasquez

San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen said on Friday on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that right-hander Randy Vasquez's (ankle) X-rays "were negative and all tests came back pretty clean." Vasquez has been given the all-clear after also fainting at Dodger Stadium following his abbreviated three-inning outing in the series opener on Thursday, in which he was hit by a Mookie Betts line drive in the ankle in the first inning. The 27-year-old Dominican hurler has been released from the hospital, but it remains to be seen if he'll make his next scheduled start. Vasquez started the year strong in SD's starting rotation, but like the team, he has faded of late and is now 6-6 with a 4.71 ERA (4.92 FIP) and 1.50 WHIP with 60 strikeouts and 27 walks in 84 innings across his 17 appearances (16 starts) after he gave up four earned runs in three innings versus L.A. on Thursday in three innings. Vasquez will be an extremely risky fantasy streamer if he makes his next scheduled start next week.

6 days ago

Randy Vásquez • SP • Padres

Randy Vasquez Injures Ankle, Faints on Thursday

San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen said that right-hander Randy Vasquez (ankle) was on his way to get an X-ray for his injured ankle after his outing in Thursday's series opener against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers when he fainted, according to AJ Cassavell. Vasquez was stable and conscious but was taken to the emergency room as a precaution and is having tests done. The 27-year-old made it through just three innings at Dodger Stadium on Thursday night and allowed four earned runs on seven hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out none in a no-decision. A line drive off the bat of shortstop Mookie Betts did the damage to his ankle in the first inning, and he lasted just two more frames before being pulled. It's unclear what Vasquez's X-ray results showed, but at the very least, he seems likely to miss his final appearance before the All-Star break, and he could very well land on the injured list. After his abbreviated outing on Thursday, Vasquez is now 6-6 on the year with a 4.71 ERA (4.92 FIP) and 1.50 WHIP with 60 strikeouts and 27 walks in 84 innings across his 17 appearances (16 starts) in his third year with the Friars.

6 days ago

Jason Adam • RP • Padres

Padres Place Jason Adam on Injured List With Shoulder Strain

The San Diego Padres announced on Thursday that they placed right-handed reliever Jason Adam (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 30) with a strained right shoulder and reinstated right-hander German Marquez (forearm) from the 15-day IL in a corresponding move. Adam won't be able to return until after the mid-July All-Star break. It's bad news for the Padres' bullpen, which has carried their weak starting pitching staff all year. The 34-year-old veteran doesn't have a ton of fantasy value because of his lack of save opportunities as a late-inning setup man in San Diego, but he is valuable in leagues that reward points for holds. On the year, Adam is 2-2 with a 2.51 ERA (4.69 FIP), 1.17 WHIP, two saves, 22 strikeouts, and eight walks in 32 1/3 relief innings. He's coming off a rough month of June, though, allowing seven earned runs on 15 hits (four homers) while walking three and striking out 11 in 12 1/3 innings pitched over 14 appearances. In that span, Adam had two losses, one save, and five holds. Lefty Adrian Morejon will have an increased setup role before closer Mason Miller with Adam sidelined for the next two weeks.

7 days ago

Fernando Tatis Jr. • RF • Padres

Fernando Tatis Jr. Nearly Doubles Home Run Total in Loss to Cubs

San Diego Padres second baseman/outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr.'s lack of power has been one of the bigger storylines in 2026. The 27-year-old Dominican entered Tuesday's clash against the hosting Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field with only three home runs in 319 at-bats. He flipped the narrative for at least one night, though, going 2-for-5 at the plate with two solo home runs and a strikeout as the Padres' leadoff hitter. Tatis is now hitting a strong .284 on the season with a .728 OPS and five home runs. He went deep off starter Matthew Boyd in the first inning on Tuesday, followed by another solo shot off reliever Javier Assad later in the game. Tatis' underlying metrics have always been hinting at a power surge eventually in 2026, and his buy-low window might already be shut. The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner ranks in the 96th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 80th percentile in xwOBA, the 67th percentile in barrel rate, and the 66th percentile in xSLG. After coming into June with just one homer, Tatis homered four times in June, and many more could be coming in the second half.

Jul 1

Samad Taylor • LF • Padres

Samad Taylor Turning Elite Speed into Must-Add Value?

San Diego Padres infielder/outfielder Samad Taylor has done everything he can to keep a job since his June 3 promotion. The 27-year-old is batting .319/.402/.375 with one home run, 11 RBI, 12 runs, and six stolen bases over 72 at-bats. San Diego has kept him in left field and hit him second in five straight games through June 29, including against righties and lefties. Taylor's speed is the hook. His 29.3 feet-per-second sprint speed ranks in the 95th percentile, and he has converted six of seven steal attempts. His batted-ball profile is much weaker, with an 84.8 mph average exit velocity, 24.5% hard-hit rate, and 2.0% barrel rate, so his .319 average is unlikely to last. Ramon Laureano (hip) is expected to miss the rest of the season after surgery, leaving Taylor with a clear path to playing time for the foreseeable future. His Yahoo availability remains high, with only 18% of leagues rostering him. Taylor is a must-add in 12-team formats for steals and runs.

Jun 30

Nick Pivetta • SP • Padres

Nick Pivetta Throws a Light Bullpen Session

San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (elbow) started playing catch in late May and threw a light bullpen session on June 27, per MLB.com. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 14 after an MRI exam showed a flexor strain in his right elbow, and Pivetta was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 2. The 33-year-old Canadian native is making slow progress and probably won't be a realistic option to return to the Padres' starting rotation until sometime in August. He was the Padres' most consistent starter in 2025 in his first year with the team, going 13-5 with a career-best 2.87 ERA (3.49 FIP) and 0.98 WHIP with a career-high 190 strikeouts and 50 walks in 181 2/3 innings pitched across his 31 starts in SD. Regression was coming for Pivetta, though, and he went 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA (1.22 FIP), 1.12 WHIP, and 24:6 K:BB in just four starts this year before landing on the shelf. Pivetta's strong showing last year has bought him plenty of rope with fantasy managers stashing him in an IL spot, but he'll be a major question mark if/when he returns to the Friars in the second half of 2026. He's currently rostered in 72% of Yahoo leagues.

Jun 29

Fernando Tatis Jr. • RF • Padres

Fernando Tatis Jr. Profiles as a Prime Buy-Low Candidate

San Diego Padres outfielder/second baseman Fernando Tatis Jr. has had an extremely strange season so far in 2026, hitting .283/.347/.367 with three home runs, 28 RBI, 35 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases across 338 plate appearances. After hitting 25 home runs across 691 plate appearances in 2025, Tatis Jr.'s power has inexplicably fallen off a cliff in 2026. However, a closer look at the 27-year-old's profile suggests that better days are ahead. Tatis Jr.'s 10.5% barrel rate and 52.5% hard-hit rate are right in line with his numbers from a season ago. He's hit the ball more on the ground this season, but not enough to explain such a drastic difference in power output. Tatis Jr.'s numbers elsewhere are strong, as his 20.1% strikeout rate is the second-best mark of his career, and he's on pace to reach 35-40 stolen bases. In leagues where Tatis Jr.'s value has fallen significantly, he profiles as a prime buy-low candidate.

Jun 25

Adrian Morejon • RP • Padres

Is Adrian Morejon the Closer Handcuff to Roster in San Diego?

Across 41 innings (37 games) so far this season, San Diego Padres left-hander Adrian Morejon has recorded a 6-1 record with a 3.51 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 49 strikeouts, and one save. Padres closer Mason Miller has been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball this season, so Morejon is blocked off from consistent save opportunities in San Diego as long as Miller remains healthy. Still, Morejon is a fantastic reliever in his own right who is averaging 99.2 miles per hour on his fastball and has logged an elite 25.6% K-BB rate on the year. Should Miller go down, Morejon may be the favorite to take over the ninth inning for the Padres. In deeper fantasy leagues, Morejon may be worth rostering for both his handcuff appeal and his standalone value as a high-end relief pitcher.

Jun 24

Samad Taylor • LF • Padres

Samad Taylor Emerging as a High-Upside Speed Target on the Waiver Wire

Entering 2026, San Diego Padres outfielder Samad Taylor had logged just 14 big league plate appearances since the start of 2024. However, the 27-year-old posted a .906 OPS across 222 Triple-A plate appearances to open the year, earning himself a promotion to the big leagues in early June. Taylor has performed well in a limited sample size since being called up, hitting .340/.400/.420 with one home run, eight RBI, 11 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 57 plate appearances. Taylor has struck out in 28.8% of his trips to the plate, so his batting average is likely to drop as his .485 batting average on balls in play regresses to the mean. Still, Taylor offers elite speed upside as long as he can hold onto a regular role. He stole 44 bases across 137 games at Triple-A in 2025 and 50 across 136 Triple-A games in 2024. For deeper league managers in need of speed, Taylor is a viable waiver wire target.

Jun 23

Manny Machado • 3B • Padres

Will Manny Machado's Big Game on Saturday Catapult him to a Turnaround?

San Diego Padres fans haven't seen All-Star third baseman Manny Machado carry the Padres' offense many times this year like he did in Saturday's 6-4, 10-inning victory over the hosting Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Machado finished the day 2-for-5 at the plate with a home run, a double, and a season-high five RBI. The 33-year-old seven-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner has had a very disappointing 2026 season to this point, but he recorded his 15th career game with at least five RBI on Saturday. Even after his big game to help the Friars to a victory on the road, Machado is slashing .178/.256/.367 with 13 home runs, 41 RBI, and 34 runs scored in his 306 plate appearances. Under the hood, Machado is in the 54th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 55th percentile in barrel rate, the 28th percentile in xwOBA, the 40th percentile in strikeout rate, and the 63rd percentile in walk rate. That doesn't exactly give fantasy managers hope that Machado is capable of returning to his career norms while struggling to catch up to fastballs like never before.

Jun 20

Ty France • 1B • Padres

Will Ty France's Two-Homer Game on Friday Get him Going?

San Diego Padres first baseman Ty France had a much-needed big game on Friday night, even if the Padres lost another game on the road in a 9-7 ballgame to the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. France went 3-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, a double, and five RBI to raise his season average to .259 and his OPS to .796. His first long ball of the game was a grand slam in the first inning, and he later added a solo blast in the fourth inning, with both of his round-trippers coming off veteran right-hander Jacob deGrom. The 31-year-old veteran first baseman homered for the first time since May 29, and the Padres are hoping that his strong performance in the series opener in Texas will help him turn things around for the rest of June. France entered Friday's action with a rough .132 average (5-for-38) with a double, an RBI, three runs scored, four walks, and 14 strikeouts in 13 games in June. He is now slashing .259/.306/.490 on the year with eight homers, 24 RBI, 17 runs scored, and a steal in his 158 plate appearances in his return to San Diego in 2026. France is rostered in just 1% of Yahoo leagues and has unfortunately been much more useful to the Padres for his glove than his bat.

Jun 20

Mason Miller • RP • Padres

Mason Miller Returns From Bereavement List on Friday

The San Diego Padres announced on Friday, before their series opener in Texas against the Rangers, that they reinstated right-handed closer Mason Miller from the bereavement/family medical leave list and optioned right-handed reliever Bradgley Rodriguez to the rookie-level Arizona Complex League in a corresponding move. Miller left the team on Monday, but he'll be available if a save situation arises at Globe Life Field on Friday versus the Rangers. Despite missing some time this week, Miller is second in the big leagues in saves (19) and has been one of the most dominant closers in the game in 2026 in his first full year in San Diego, posting a microscopic 0.90 ERA (0.36 FIP), 0.80 WHIP, and a 59:12 K:BB in 30 innings pitched for the Friars. After picking up seven saves in a busy month of May for the Padres, Miller hasn't been used all that much so far in June, throwing just five innings while giving up one earned run, striking out 10, walking just one, and picking up two saves. Fantasy managers need to get the flamethrowing fireman back into their starting lineups for the weekend series in Texas.

Jun 19

Mason Miller • RP • Padres

Padres Put Mason Miller on the Bereavement List

The San Diego Padres announced on Monday that they placed right-handed closer Mason Miller on the bereavement/family medical leave list and recalled left-hander Kyle Hart from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move. Miller could be away from the Padres for the next three to seven days as he tends to a personal family matter. If any save situations come up with Miller away, they will likely go to right-hander Jason Adam, who has pitched well in a setup role for the Friars again in 2026. The 27-year-old Miller continues to make hitters look silly with a triple-digit fastball and an extremely nasty slider, and he's currently sporting a 0.90 ERA (0.37 FIP), 0.80 WHIP, a National League-leading 19 saves, 59 strikeouts, and 12 walks in 30 innings pitched in his first full year in San Diego. Miller ranks second in all of baseball in saves and has not blown a save opportunity all year. After being acquired from the A's midway through last season, Miller had a 0.77 ERA (1.12 FIP), 0.73 WHIP, two saves, 45 strikeouts, and 10 walks in 23 1/3 innings pitched. He's one of the most dominant pitchers in all of baseball, regardless of role.

Jun 15

Nick Pivetta • SP • Padres

Nick Pivetta Throwing From 90 Feet

San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (elbow) began playing catch in late May and has progressed to throwing from 90 feet with some intensity on Wednesday, June 10, according to MLB.com. Pivetta was originally placed on the injured list on April 14 and has since been transferred to the 60-day IL after an MRI exam showed a flexor strain in his right elbow. He is making progress, but the Padres still don't expect him to return until some point in the second half of the season. The 33-year-old veteran still has plenty of boxes to check in his rehab. We won't have a better idea on a more specific timetable for a return in 2026 until he resumes throwing off a mound. Pivetta was excellent for the Friars in 2025 in his first year with the club, going 13-5 with a 2.87 ERA (3.49 FIP), 0.98 WHIP, and 190:50 K:BB in 181 2/3 innings over his 31 starts. He made just four starts this year before being shut down, and he hadn't looked nearly as good, giving up eight earned runs while walking six and fanning 24 in 16 innings. However, he was also sporting a 1.23 FIP in a small sample size. With the potential to still help fantasy managers in the second half, Pivetta is rostered in 72% of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs.

Jun 14

Blake Hunt • C • Padres

Padres Promote Catching Prospect Blake Hunt, Can He Establish a Consistent Role?

San Diego Padres catching prospect Blake Hunt has been called up from Triple-A El Paso ahead of the team's game on Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles. Hunt is taking Padres catcher Freddy Fermin's (concussion) spot on the active roster after Fermin was placed on the seven-day concussion IL. Hunt missed the start of the 2026 season due to an oblique strain and has logged just 32 plate appearances this year at Triple-A. Across 280 plate appearances at Triple-A as a member of the Seattle Mariners system in 2025, Hunt hit .272/.368/.452 with eight home runs, 35 RBI, 30 runs scored, and one stolen base. At 27 years old, Hunt does not profile as a high-upside prospect. Still, he should have a chance to emerge as the Padres' starting catcher while Fermin is out. San Diego's other catching option on the active roster is Rodolfo Duran, who owns a .683 OPS across 38 plate appearances this season.

Jun 14

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