San Diego Padres News

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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

Michael King • SP • Padres

Michael King to Pitch Out of Bullpen in Wild-Card Series

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King will be available out of the bullpen during the entire wild-card series at Wrigley Field this week against the Chicago Cubs, according to manager Mike Shildt. Right-hander Nick Pivetta will start Game 1 on Tuesday, followed by right-hander Dylan Cease in Game 2 on Wednesday. If necessary, right-hander Yu Darvish will likely get the nod in a deciding Game 3 on Thursday. King only made 15 starts in 2025 after missing the majority of the year, first with a right-shoulder injury and then a knee ailment. The 30-year-old made just five starts after injuring his shoulder in May and wasn't good, recording a 6.11 ERA with 12 strikeouts and nine walks in 17 2/3 innings to close out the year. He finished the year 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA (4.42 FIP) with 76 strikeouts and 26 walks in 73 1/3 innings. If the Padres advance to the National League Division Series, King could rejoin the starting rotation.

Sep 30

Dylan Cease • SP • Padres

Dylan Cease to Start Game 2 of Wild-Card Series Against Cubs

San Diego Padres right-hander Dylan Cease will start Game 2 of the wild-card series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, according to manager Mike Shildt. Right-hander Yu Darvish would likely start Game 3, if necessary, on Thursday. Cease finished the 2025 season with 200-plus strikeouts for the fifth straight season, but all in all, he was a disappointment with a 4.55 ERA (3.56 FIP) and 1.33 WHIP with 71 walks in 168 innings over 32 starts. To close out the regular season, the 29-year-old allowed only a run while striking out eight in five innings against the Milwaukee Brewers last Wednesday, but he had only one quality start in his final eight starts. His lone start against the Cubbies came at home all the way back on April 14, when he allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits (one homer) while walking one and fanning six in 5 2/3 frames for a no-decision.

Sep 30

Nick Pivetta • SP • Padres

Nick Pivetta Starting Game 1 of Wild-Card Series

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta will start Game 1 of the wild-card series on Tuesday against the Cubs, reports AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. This is no surprise, as he has been the Padres' clear ace in 2025, posting a 2.87 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 190 strikeouts, and 50 walks in 181 innings. The Cubs have yet to announce who will take the mound opposite Pivetta, but it figures to be either Matthew Boyd or Shoto Imanaga. It's worth noting that the 32-year-old has been shakier as of late, particularly in his last start, where he walked five batters in 5 innings against the Brewers.

Sep 29

Ramón Laureano • RF • Padres

Ramon Laureano Lands on 10-Day Injured List

San Diego Padres outfielder Ramon Laureano (finger) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday, retroactive to Sept. 25. Laureano suffered a fractured finger during Wednesday's contest. As a result, Laureano will head to the shelf and will miss the upcoming Wild Card series against the Chicago Cubs. He'll finish his regular season with a .281/.342/.512 slash line with 24 home runs, 76 RBI, and seven stolen bases. Gavin Sheets figures to take over in left field while Laureano is out. In a corresponding move, Will Wagner has been recalled to take over the spot on the active roster.

Sep 28

Fernando Tatis Jr. • RF • Padres

Fernando Tatis Jr. Back in Padres Lineup on Friday

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (illness) is starting in right field and will hit in his usual leadoff spot for Friday's series opener against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks and right-hander Zac Gallen at Petco Park. Tatis was battling the flu and COVID this week and missed the entire three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 26-year-old is feeling much better now, though, and will return for the final regular-season series this weekend before the wild-card round of the postseason begins next Tuesday. He'll get his legs back under him this weekend and will look to continue swinging a hot bat before his illness. In his last eight games going into this week, Tatis had gone 13-for-32 with two home runs, three RBI, 11 runs, and three steals. The Padres are going to need Tatis clicking on all cylinders if they want to make a deep run in October.

Sep 26

Ramón Laureano • RF • Padres

Ramon Laureano Fractures Finger, Out Through First Round of Playoffs

San Diego Padres outfielder Ramon Laureano (finger) fractured his right index finger and will be out through at least the first round of the playoffs, manager Mike Shildt told reporters. Laureano suffered the injury during a 3-1 defeat against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, forcing him to exit after the second inning. The 31-year-old is a significant loss for the Padres heading into the playoffs, having hit .269/.323/.489 with nine homers, 30 RBI, 27 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 198 plate appearances since they acquired him from the Baltimore Orioles on July 31. In a combined 488 trips to the plate between the two teams, Laureano slashed a strong .281/.342/.512 with 24 HRs, 76 RBI, 72 runs, and seven steals. As long as Laureano is out, Gavin Sheets should get the majority of playing time in left field for the Padres.

Sep 25

Fernando Tatis Jr. • RF • Padres

Fernando Tatis Jr. Remains Away From the Team on Wednesday

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (illness) remains out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park. Tatis will miss his third straight game this week while dealing with some combination of the flu and COVID. The Padres are hoping to get him back for the final series of the regular season, which starts on Friday in SD against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks. Ramon Laureano will make the start in right field again and will hit seventh, with Gavin Sheets playing left field and batting cleanup against Brewers right-hander Chad Patrick. The Padres would certainly like to get Tatis some at-bats this weekend before the playoffs start early next week. Tatis is currently riding a modest five-game hitting streak in which he went 8-for-21 with a homer, RBI, two steals, and six runs scored.

Sep 24

Xander Bogaerts • SS • Padres

Xander Bogaerts Reinstated and Starting on Tuesday

The San Diego Padres announced that they reinstated infielder Xander Bogaerts (foot) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned infielder Will Wagner to the Arizona Complex League in a corresponding move. Bogaerts is making the start at shortstop and is batting second in his return to the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander Bruce Zimmermann. The 32-year-old will make his return from a fractured foot as the Padres look to get him some at-bats in the final week of the regular season before the playoffs begin early next week. Bogaerts will be playing in his first big-league game since Aug. 27, so fantasy managers setting DFS lineups should probably look to fade him, especially since he has hit .182 with a .523 OPS in 11 career at-bats against Zimmermann.

Sep 23

Fernando Tatis Jr. • RF • Padres

Fernando Tatis Jr. Likely to Miss Multiple Games

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (illness) is expected to sit out with an illness until later this week, according to president of baseball operations A.J. Preller. After Tatis missed the Padres' playoff-clinching win over the Brewers on Monday, Preller said that the team is testing him for multiple illness, including "influenza and Covid." It's a situation that fantasy managers will have to monitor during the last several days of the regular season. Tatis has once again provided plenty of value this year with a .267/.367/.438 line, 23 homers, 66 RBI, and career highs in runs scored (108) and stolen bases (32) over 681 plate appearances.

Sep 23

Fernando Tatis Jr. • RF • Padres

Fernando Tatis Jr. Out Sick on Monday

Updating a previous report, San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (illness) is out of the lineup on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers because of an illness, manager Mike Shildt told reporters. Ryan O'Hearn will take over in right field for Tatis, who has played in a personal-best 152 games this season. The 26-year-old has slashed .267/.367/.438 with 23 homers, 66 RBI, and career highs in runs scored (108) and stolen bases (32) over 681 plate appearances. Fantasy managers should check back on Tuesday to see if Tatis returns to the Padres' lineup.

Sep 23

Xander Bogaerts • SS • Padres

Xander Bogaerts Won't be Activated on Monday

San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (foot) is not expected to be activated in time for Monday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Padres were hopeful they'd get Bogaerts back for the series opener. Sadly, it looks like Bogaerts will need at least another day to get ready to play. He was able to go through his pregame workout without any issues on Monday. The Padres have just elected to give him another day to rest and get healthy. Jose Iglesias will cover shortstop and bat eighth versus right-hander Freddy Peralta. Fantasy managers should check back on Tuesday to see if Bogaerts is back.

Sep 22

Fernando Tatis Jr. • RF • Padres

Fernando Tatis Jr. Gets Rare Day Off on Monday

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is out of the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. This is a rare off day for Tatis who hasn't sat out of a game since September 1. The Padres want to keep their key players rested and ready to go for the postseason. Ryan O'Hearn will cover right field and bat fifth versus right-hander Freddy Peralta on Monday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly with Tatis absent.

Sep 22

Robert Suarez • RP • Padres

Robert Suarez Secures 40th Save

San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez collected his National League-leading 40th save in a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. The 34-year-old right-hander slammed the door on the White Sox with a 1-2-3 ninth inning and struck out two to lock up the first 40-save season of his career. It was a nice rebound for Suarez after he allowed a solo home run in a victory over Chicago on Saturday. Suarez, who's one save from tying Carlos Estevez for the major league lead, has recorded a sturdy 3.06 ERA with a .93 WHIP, 72 strikeouts, and 16 walks in 67 2/3 innings this season.

Sep 22

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