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Jackson Merrill Jackson Merrill Breaks slump in big way
Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 10:22 PM
Merrill went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Phillies.
Analysis: Merrill tied the game at 2-2 with his second-inning homer and then added a solo shot to even things up again at 4-4 in the sixth. The outfielder had gone just 3-for-35 (.086) during a brutal slump over the first 10 games of July, and his pair of homers Saturday ended a 34-game power drought dating back to May 28. The 22-year-old is slashing .263/.326/.417 with seven homers, 32 RBI, 33 runs scored, one stolen base, 12 doubles and two triples over 63 contests. Merrill's slump has seen him drop from the No. 2 spot in the order -- he's hit fifth or sixth over the last five games. The All-Star break should offer him a chance to get a mental reset ahead of the second half. |
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Jeremiah Estrada Jeremiah Estrada Snags third save
Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 10:18 PM
Estrada struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Phillies.
Analysis: Estrada was one of four San Diego relievers to have pitched three of the previous four days, but he was apparently deemed good to go for a save chance. Usual closer Robert Suarez had also seen a similar workload and was held back from pitching in this contest. Estrada is now second on the team with three saves, though he's no threat to Suarez's closer role, as he's instead functioned as a setup man throughout the year. Overall, Estrada has a 2.93 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 60:16 K:BB while adding 21 holds and three blown saves across 43 innings. |
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Yu Darvish Yu Darvish Stretches out in second start
Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 10:14 PM
Darvish allowed four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Phillies on Saturday.
Analysis: Darvish upped his pitch count to 83 (46 strikes) in his second start after returning from an elbow injury. The results weren't any better than in his season debut, and he's still having some trouble establishing his control -- in addition to the three walks, he also had a wild pitch in this contest. He's allowed six runs over 8.1 innings while adding a 7:6 K:BB. Darvish should continue to build up his workload, and having some time off during the All-Star break will be a benefit as well. His next start will be on the road following the break, either against the Nationals or Marlins, both of which make for good matchups. |
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Joe Musgrove Joe Musgrove Pushes throwing distance to 120 feet
Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 4:32 PM
Musgrove (elbow) has extended his throwing distance while playing catch to 120 feet, per MLB.com.
Analysis: Musgrove began playing catch in early April and has gradually extended his throwing distance since then. The veteran hurler also played catch off the mound Wednesday, though it wasn't a standard throwing session. Musgrove continues to progress from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last October, but he's not expected to be ready to pitch in games again until 2026. |
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Alek Jacob Alek Jacob Recalled from El Paso
Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 2:19 PM
The Padres recalled Jacob from Triple-A El Paso on Saturday.
Analysis: Since his last MLB appearance May 24, Jacob has given up nine earned runs across 10.1 innings in Triple-A. Despite his shaky performance, he'll get the call to provide San Diego with some extra bullpen depth heading into the All-Star break. He's unlikely to pitch outside of low-leverage situations, however. |
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Ryan Bergert Ryan Bergert Sent to El Paso
Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 2:16 PM
The Padres optioned Bergert to Triple-A El Paso on Saturday.
Analysis: Bergert gave up two runs in 4.2 innings during his return from the injured list Friday. Now that the Padres have no need for a fifth starter with the All-Star break approaching, they'll send the 25-year-old down to Triple-A in favor of Alek Jacob, who will provide extra bullpen depth. Bergert owns a 2.84 ERA and 1.14 WHIP through 31.2 innings in the majors this season, so there's a good chance he'll be back in a Padres uniform before long. |
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Martin Maldonado Martin Maldonado Resting Friday
Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 5:41 PM
Maldonado is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies.
Analysis: Maldonado has not caught more than two games in a row this season, and after catching back-to-back games, Maldonado will yield to Elias Diaz behind the plate Friday. Maldonado has four home runs and a .512 OPS in 138 plate appearances during 2025. |
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Eduarniel Nunez Eduarniel Nunez Optioned to El Paso
Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 5:37 PM
The Padres optioned Nunez to Triple-A El Paso on Friday.
Analysis: After giving up two earned runs over 4.2 innings during his first nine days as a major-leaguer, Nunez will head back to Triple-A to clear room for Ryan Bergert's (forearm) return from the IL. The 26-year-old Nunez also owns a 2.40 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over 30 innings between Double-A and Triple-A this season, and if he continues at that rate, he should be able to make another appearance for the Padres at some point down the line. |
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Trenton Brooks Trenton Brooks Sitting again
Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 5:36 PM
Brooks is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies.
Analysis: Brooks is out of the lineup for a third consecutive game, leaving DH duties to Xander Bogaerts on Friday. Brooks is slashing .152/.176/.303 with a 35.3 percent strikeout rate in 34 plate appearances this season. |
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Ryan Bergert Ryan Bergert Activated ahead of start
Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 5:33 PM
Bergert (forearm) was reinstated from the injured list ahead of his start Friday against the Phillies.
Analysis: A forearm bruise caused by a comebacker forced Bergert onto the IL toward the end of June, but he'll now return after close to a minimum-length stay. The 25-year-old rookie has performed well in the big leagues this season to the tune of a 2.67 ERA and 1.15 WHIP, but he'll be welcomed back from injury by a Phillies offense that owns an .809 OPS since the start of July. Eduarniel Nunez was optioned to Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move. |
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Adrian Morejon Adrian Morejon Picks up seventh win
Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 12:17 PM
Morejon (7-3) earned the win over Arizona on Thursday, allowing one hit and walking one batter while notching two strikeouts over 1.2 scoreless innings.
Analysis: Starter Randy Vasquez lasted just 4.1 frames, and Morejon took over with two Diamondbacks on base and one out in the fifth. The left-hander got out of the jam by striking out Josh Naylor and getting Eugenio Suarez to pop out, then tossed a scoreless sixth despite allowing two baserunners. Morejon was credited with the win -- his seventh of the campaign, most among MLB relief pitchers -- as the Padres held on to claim a 4-3 victory. While bullpen mates Robert Suarez and Jason Adam are going to the All-Star Game for their first-half accomplishments, there's an argument to be made that Morejon is just as deserving. In addition to the seven wins, he's posted a dominant 1.71 ERA and 0.83 WHIP along with a 39:9 K:BB while notching two saves and 12 holds over 45 appearances spanning 42 innings. |
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Ryan Bergert Ryan Bergert Rejoining rotation Friday
Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 9:06 AM
The Padres will reinstate Bergert (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Phillies in San Diego, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.
Analysis: Bergert landed on the IL on June 25 due to a right forearm contusion but made a quick recovery. The rookie right-hander gave up four earned runs on nine hits and one walk over a 4.2-inning, 63-pitch rehab start with Triple-A El Paso last Sunday, so he should be capable of handling something close to a typical starter's workload in his return. Through nine appearances (five starts) for the Padres this season, Bergert owns a 2.67 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB in 27 innings. |
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Michael King Michael King Completes bullpen session
Thu, Jul 10, 2025, 8:48 PM
King (shoulder) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Analysis: King was originally slated to throw a "touch and feel" bullpen session, but the team instead termed it a full session. There hasn't been an exact timeline for his return to the mound, but both King and the team have suggested early to mid-August is realistic. |
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Martin Maldonado Martin Maldonado Idle Tuesday
Tue, Jul 8, 2025, 4:45 PM
Maldonado is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Analysis: Maldonado will get some rest after appearing in the last five games since the second game of a doubleheader July 2. In that five-game stretch, he went 2-for-11 with a walk. For Tuesday's game, Elias Diaz has the start behind the dish and is batting ninth. |
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Kyle Hart Kyle Hart Sent back to minors
Mon, Jul 7, 2025, 5:53 PM
The Padres optioned Hart to Triple-A El Paso on Monday.
Analysis: Hart tossed 3.2 perfect innings of bulk relief in Sunday's win over the Rangers, and his reward is a trip back to the minors a day later. The lefty has likely earned another look with the big club eventually, but for now he will re-enter the rotation at El Paso. |
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Michael King Michael King Moved to 60-day IL
Mon, Jul 7, 2025, 5:51 PM
The Padres transferred King (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Monday.
Analysis: The transaction does not change King's timeline, as he is coming up on 60 days missed and is not close to rejoining the Padres' rotation. He is, however, making progress, as King has thrown multiple times on flat ground and will have a "touch and feel" bullpen session Thursday. King will need a few sessions off the mound and likely a rehab assignment before a timetable for his return becomes clearer. |
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Yu Darvish Yu Darvish Activated ahead of season debut
Mon, Jul 7, 2025, 5:47 PM
The Padres activated Darvish (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Monday.
Analysis: Darvish is set to make his season debut Monday against the Diamondbacks following a long recovery from right elbow inflammation. The veteran righty hasn't pitched in an official game since he made a rehab start on May 14, but he has been ramping up with a series of simulated games. Darvish threw 64 pitches in his last simulated game, so he will have a limited workload versus Arizona. |
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Michael King Michael King Slated to throw off mound Thursday
Mon, Jul 7, 2025, 5:23 PM
King (shoulder) will throw a "touch and feel" bullpen session Thursday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Analysis: King played catch again Monday and will expand his flat-ground throwing to 120 feet Tuesday. While it will not be a regular bullpen session Thursday, it will be the first time King has thrown off a mound since he went down in mid-May with a pinched thoracic nerve in his right shoulder. King has a lot of boxes to check before he can be considered for a return to the Padres' rotation, but he's moving in the right direction. |
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Jason Adam Jason Adam Registers 20th hold Sunday
Mon, Jul 7, 2025, 11:45 AM
Adam earned a hold against the Rangers on Sunday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in one scoreless inning.
Analysis: Adam was summoned from the bullpen with San Diego nursing a two-run lead in the seventh inning and got the job done, working around a two-out single to record a scoreless frame. The right-hander was credited with his 20th hold of the season -- third-most in the majors behind Abner Uribe (25) and Bryan Abreu (22). Adam was named to his first All-Star Game on Sunday as a reward for a dominant campaign during which he's posted a 1.61 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 52:19 K:BB over 44.2 innings spanning 44 appearances. |
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Yu Darvish Yu Darvish Set for season debut
Sun, Jul 6, 2025, 5:28 PM
Darvish (elbow) is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list and start Monday's contest against the Diamondbacks, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Darvish will make his season debut after missing the entirety of the 2025 campaign to this point while nursing right elbow inflammation. The right-hander threw 64 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday, which will serve to be his final session before his return to action. Darvish posted an impressive 3.31 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 78 strikeouts over 81.2 innings in 16 starts with San Diego in 2024. He'll likely be on a workload restriction upon his return to a major-league mound, but Darvish may get two turns in the rotation prior to the upcoming All-Star break. |
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