News Padres Team Notes

[San Diego Padres]

Padres make mid-season adjustments

Ryan Bergert | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

More injuries and a suspension

It is the middle of the 2025 MLB season and the San Diego Padres have a 4-2 record in their latest home stand with an overall record of 44-36, 8 games over .500 and a half game back of the San Francisco Giants for the final Wild Card spot.

They have completed their 26 games in 27 days stretch leading up to the half-way point and played .500 over those games. It hasn’t always been pretty but they seem to be earning their nickname “Grit Squad” with some hard fought wins and some really disappointing losses. For this stretch there were three teams with under .500 records and four teams with over .500 records, they faced the Dodgers twice.

The actual 81 game mark comes on Friday versus the Cincinnati Reds but this seems a good spot to pause and take stock of where the team stands.

Pitching

With starters Michael King and Yu Darvish on the IL, with no time line for their return yet, and Ryan Bergert being placed on the 15-day IL with a contusion on his right arm, the Padres seemingly must dip down into the minors again to supplement the starting rotation.

Matt Waldron has pitched well with El Paso and Kyle Hart has not. It seems clear that Waldron will be next man up when Bergert’s spot in the rotation comes up next week. With the off day on Thursday, June 26, it would be good to give all the starters an extra day of rest. If that is the approach, Bergert would be scheduled to start on Tuesday. Reliever Sean Reynolds was called up to take the open pitcher’s spot on the roster in the mean time.

Reynolds was not needed in Wednesday’s game and will be fresh to go Friday when Dylan Cease should be the starter. For these two games the Padres are working with a 12-man pitching staff due to the suspension of closer Robert Suarez for hitting Shohei Ohtani last week. He had filed an appeal of the suspension but dropped the appeal when the suspension was reduced from three games to two games.

There have been some improved performances with the starters over the past few games with Randy Vasquez, Dylan Cease and Nick Pivetta able to pitch deeper into games and the bullpen has responded with some held leads during the home stand. The bullpen ERA is 3.30, tied for 7th in baseball.

Offense

The lineup has a team average of .248, 13th in baseball. Their OPS is .695, 22nd in baseball. They have only 69 home runs, 26th in baseball. If they want to be one of the six best teams at the end of the season, those numbers will need to improve. Warmer weather throughout the country should help with the home runs but this team has to hit better overall.

Gavin Sheets is doing a good job as the DH but he is also having to play left field regularly after the team released Jason Heyward. He is splitting time with bench players, Tyler Wade and Bryce Johnson. That is not enough offensive production for that position, especially considering how little they get from the catcher position. The promotion of Trenton Brooks is not a sufficient solution to their bench, second DH or left field problems. He is a 29 year-old career minor league player who is here only because there was really no one else.

Change the line up

Manager Mike Shildt has begun some lineup adjustments to try and spark more offense. This is a move many have been asking for over the past month. The lineup has changed twice over the last four games. Luis Arraez has gone from batting second to batting fourth to leading off. Fernando Tatis Jr has bat first and then went to fourth. Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado switched spots between two and three. Using the same lineup and in the same order wasn’t getting it done so mixing it up is a welcome change.

Bogaerts shoulder

Shortstop Xander Bogaerts has been making better choices and hitting the ball to better spots but then slid into home plate Tuesday night and now has another sore shoulder. According to Shildt’s update in the Wednesday post-game presser, he is day-to-day and should be okay after taking Wednesday off with Thursday an off day for the team.

Until Head of Baseball Operations AJ Preller is able to make some personnel moves to supplement the roster, adjusting the daily lineup and going all-out to protect leads is about the only moves the organization can make. There is some pitching depth available to them but there is no offensive help coming from the minor leagues. The better prospects are still another season away, at best.

The Padres seem to be waiting for more teams to decide if they are buyers or sellers on the trade market. When that situation gets clarified, then an upgrade in left field and a bat for the bench should be the priority.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/25/24455991/padres-make-mid-season-adjustments

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres want to close the book on Juan Soto trade, Nats’ young star adds to the story

Washington Nationals James Wood | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

Former top prospect, James Wood, went 3-13 with a HR and 6 RBIs in his first series at Petco Park.

The San Diego Padres and the Washington Nationals will forever be linked because of the Juan Soto trade. This week’s three-game set did not need more fireworks, as one of the cornerstone pieces from the Nats’ perspective, James Wood, was making his Petco Park debut. This is where the controversy begins, as the Friar Faithful can still envision him in a Padres uniform.

Let’s go back in time​

It has been quite a rollercoaster ride since the Padres and Nationals pulled off that stunning trade deadline deal in 2022. The Friars cleaned out the top prospects from their talent pool to acquire the best generational player in the sport. Few teams would pass on the opportunity to obtain Soto, who is on a clear path to the Hall of Fame.

The media declared the Padres were the winners of the mega-deal as they catapulted themselves into World Series title contention. All agreed it would take three seasons before determining the value of what the Nationals received in return for Soto.

No need to rehash Soto’s time in San Diego, but he batted .265 with 41 HRs and 125 RBIs in 214 games. The inconsistent production suggested the Friars may have overspent to acquire him.

Both sides benefited from the blockbuster trade​

The Friar Faithful is frustrated that the team is still searching for an everyday left-fielder. They contend the Padres would be a better team with Wood in the lineup. You cannot disagree, as the Friars are using complementary players who are struggling to produce.

Team president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller put all of his chips in the middle of the table to make the blockbuster trade. He knew team general manager Mike Rizzo wanted players who were major league-ready in exchange for Soto. He finalized the deal that put the Padres in the conversation for a postseason berth.

The Nats are pleased with what they received from San Diego, as CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, and Wood are all making contributions this season. But all eyes are on Wood because his potential is enormous.

Wood is a special talent​

From the moment he arrived, Wood has not succumbed to the pressures associated with Major League Baseball. He has proven to be on the brink of a fine career. It is his swing that draws all the attention.

Last season, Wood batted .264 with 9 HRs and 41 RBIs in 79 games. 2025 has seen him just burst out of the starting gate by hitting .284 with 22 HRs and 61 RBIs in 81 games. You have to be impressed with his approach at the plate. Whether he is pulling a pitch to right field or taking it to the opposite way. Wood gets everyone’s attention during his at-bats.

No one could have predicted the void in left field, as it is easy to picture Wood being the solution. On paper, the Friars would have boasted two of the youngest and brightest left-handed hitters (Jackson Merrill and Wood) in baseball. But games are not played on paper. Acquiring Soto stamped the franchise as a legitimate postseason contender. Having assembled a competitive roster, Preller was deemed a baseball executive not afraid to make the big move.

Yes, the Soto trade has aged poorly. It is not about trading for him but rather the cost of acquiring Soto. The first deal can be categorized as an “all-in” trade, as the All-Star outfielder was the last piece of the puzzle in Preller’s mind. The second Soto trade was all about recouping some of your original investment before the potential of him leaving town as a free agent became real.

Roster turnover happens every day in baseball. Front offices must decide which players are an ideal fit for the roster, but that evaluation can change quickly.

The Padres have a competitive team, as they have not fallen through a trapdoor. Is the roster perfect? No, but the roster is good enough to make a run in October.

It is time for the Friar Faithful to move on.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/...-soto-trade-nats-young-star-adds-to-the-story

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres Yu Darvish making progress but return date to still unknown

San Diego Padres Yu Darvish | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

The Friars ace has yet to debut in the 2025 season.

The San Diego Padres suffered a devastating one-two punch to their starting rotation this season. First, Yu Darvish suffered elbow inflammation in spring training that ruled him out indefinitely, and Michael King has been sidelined with a pinched nerve in his right shoulder since late May. Let’s not forget that Joe Musgrove has yet to throw a pitch in 2025, as he is recovering from Tommy John surgery.

However, there might be light at the end of the tunnel for the Padres’ starting rotation. The front office confirmed Darvish faced hitters in a simulated game this week in Lake Elsinore. He threw three innings and gave up three hits, no runs, one walk, and struck out six batters on 51 pitches.

Kevin Acee wrote this morning “Yu Darvish is expected to throw in the bullpen here this weekend before it is decided what his next step will be. The expectation is that he will make a minor-league rehab start, but the Padres continue to not push the veteran right-hander. The important thing, team sources continue to insist, is that he returns to pitch well in the season’s final two months and the playoffs.”

Darvish is the lone architect of his rehab plan​

If you remember, the Friars offered no timeline for Darvish to rejoin the starting rotation. It will be up to him, as there is no better source than Darvish to determine the course of rehabilitation needed for his return to the active roster.

He took a big step in his rehab by making a start with Triple-A El Paso in mid-May. However, everyone’s enthusiasm turned to despair when Darvish experienced some elbow discomfort following the start. Team doctors shut down his rehab program until the pain subsided.

Neither the Padres nor Darvish have confirmed if he will throw another simulated game. If there is no physical setback, Darvish could return to the mound by early July.

Darvish could be an impactful second-half contributor​

With both Darvish and King on the shelf, The Friars have relied heavily on Dylan Cease and Nick Pivetta. Cease has been up and down all season, while Pivetta has responded with an outstanding first campaign in brown and gold after signing as a free agent before the start of spring training.

At 8-2 with a 3.36 ERA, Pivetta has become the team’s de facto No. 1 starter until Darvish returns to action. He has nine quality starts in 16 games started this season. The return of Darvish guarantees the Padres will have two starters who pitch deep into games.

The right-hander’s Friars career can be defined by him tossing six innings every fifth day. Rarely does the bullpen have to clean up his mess of leaving multiple runners on the bases.

His pitch count is around 100, so Darvish must be economical to be credited with a quality start. And when he is not on, Darvish is crafty enough to keep the damage to a minimum. His control is still one of the best in the majors, as Darvish’s walk rate was 6.6 % in 2024, which was well below the league average of 8.4 %.

Darvish has several release points that create deception for his four-seam fastball at the top of the strike zone. It is still a frontline pitch, as he can reach 94-95 MPH when an out is needed to thwart a potential rally. Last season, Darvish allowed 39.9 % hard-hit balls while striking out 23.6 % of batters faced. He must continue to limit contact to be an effective pitcher in 2025.

His pitching repertoire allows Darvish to remain unpredictable against opposing lineups. He effectively uses the slider, sinker, sweeper, split finger, and curveball to record outs. His approach on the mound is why he remains one of the best at his position.

Injuries and age may have limited his availability, but Darvish’s pitching arsenal allows him to be a strong middle-of-the-rotation candidate.

Without delay, he is on track to make a difference in the second half of the 2025 season.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/...ing-progress-but-return-date-to-still-unknown

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Gavin Sheets shows improvement in LF

Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images

Everything you need to know about your San Diego Padres on the morning of June 29, 2025.

Gavin Sheets lays out! pic.twitter.com/Nv5vh1bHxK

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) June 28, 2025​

Gavin Sheets for the lead! pic.twitter.com/quLINvmYss

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) June 28, 2025​

Gavin Sheets, as he's being showered with Holy Sheets chants in Cincy, tells Don and Mud he's been working in the outfield every day with David Macias pic.twitter.com/F8SgK0gw76

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) June 28, 2025​

Articles to read​

Padres slug their way past Reds (Matt DeWalt, Gaslamp Ball)

Padres Yu Darvish making progress but return date to still unknown (Thomas Conroy, Gaslamp Ball)

Padres Minor League Update: Week 13 (Cheri Bell, Gaslamp Ball)

Michael King begins ‘progression’ toward pitching again (Kevin Acee, SD U-T)

Luis Arraez, Jake Cronenworth, Gavin Sheets homer as Padres power way back to even series against Reds (Kevin Acee, SD U-T)

Sheets’ all-around effort key as bats break out in comeback win (Mike Petraglia, MLB.com)

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/...an-diego-gavin-sheets-shows-improvement-in-lf

 

[San Diego Padres]

San Diego drops final game of series to Cincinnati, 3-2

Luis Arraez walks off the field as Will Benson celebrates game-winning hit. | Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images

Robert Suarez gives up two runs, Padres walked off by Reds

Robert Suarez came on in the bottom of the ninth inning looking to add another save to his season total and to secure another win for the San Diego Padres over the Cincinnati Reds. He walked off the mound and the field with a blown save and a loss as the Reds came from behind to earn a 3-2 walk-off win at Great American Ballpark, Sunday.

Elly De La Cruz reached on an error by Tyler Wade at third base to start the bottom of the ninth inning. Suarez got Austin Hays to fly out to left-center field for the first out of the inning. Suarez then allowed a four-pitch walk to Gavin Lux and faced Spencer Steer with the tying run at second base and the winning run on first.

Steer lined a ball through the middle of the infield and into center field. A strong throw from Jackson Merrill to Elias Diaz at the plate just missed De La Cruz and the Reds tied the game, 2-2. With runners at first and second, Suarez allowed a single to Jose Trevino to load the bases with one out for Will Benson.

Benson hit a line drive down the right field line that landed just inside the foul line and allowed Lux to score from third base to give the Reds a 3-2 walk-off win.

Will Benson walks it off for the @Reds! pic.twitter.com/CRniPrC8rv

— MLB (@MLB) June 29, 2025​

The Padres and Reds battled back and forth throughout the game. They were tied 1-1 in the top of the seventh inning when the Padres loaded the bases with a walk by Fernando Tatis Jr., a double by Xander Bogaerts and an intentional walk to Gavin Sheets.

Jose Iglesias came to the plate as the first batter to face Reds reliever Tony Santillan, who replaced Lyon Richardson after the intentional walk to Sheets. Iglesias hit a slow ground ball to Cincinnati second baseman Matt McLain, who threw to De La Cruz at second to force out Sheets. The return throw from De La Cruz to first base was late, allowing Iglesias to reach safely. It also allowed Tatis Jr. to score from third to give San Diego a 2-1 lead.

Padres have a 2-1 lead pic.twitter.com/CAjARKjumx

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) June 29, 2025​

De La Cruz tied the game in bottom of sixth inning with an RBI-single to left field off Adrian Morejon, which allowed Will Benson to cross the plate to make the score 1-1. Benson started the inning against Padres starter Stephen Kolek with a walk. Kolek then got the next two batters to pop out and fly out. He allowed a single to McLain to put two runners on for De La Cruz to set up the game-tying hit off Morejon.

#Padres 1 @ #Reds 1 [B6–2o]:

Elly De La Cruz singles: ground ball to LF
Hit: 95.8mph, 13ft, -12°, .184xBA

Pitch: 86.7mph Slider (LHP A.Morejon)#ForTheFaithful #ATOBTTR #MLB pic.twitter.com/xRV6RtDB80

— MLB Run Videos (@MLBRBIs) June 29, 2025​

Kolek completed 5 2/3 innings and allowed one run on three hits with one walk and five strikeouts.

Cincinnati threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, but came up empty. Jason Adam came in from the bullpen and allowed a leadoff double to Benson. Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit a deep fly to center, which was caught by Merrill. It allowed Benson to tag up and advance to third. Adam then got TJ Friedl to groundout to first base and he ended the inning with a strikeout of McLain to maintain the one-run lead for San Diego.

Jason Adam now has the 2nd best ERA (1.69) in all of Major League Baseball (min. 40 IP) pic.twitter.com/XbgxtriVgR

— Al Scott (@AlScott1998) June 29, 2025​

The first run of the game for the Padres came in the top of the fourth inning when Xander Bogaerts hit a solo home run to left-center to put San Diego up, 1-0. Bogaerts would have had a chance to hit in the bottom of the ninth with Tatis Jr. on base after a walk, but suffered a “severe cramp,” and forced Tyler Wade to pinch-hit, resulting in a grounded out.

Boom. pic.twitter.com/BkQAfuL5Ef

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 29, 2025​

The Padres finished the game without recording a hit with runners in scoring position and finished 0-for-13 in that category.

San Diego travels to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies, Monday at 3:35 p.m.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/...-drops-final-game-of-series-to-cincinnati-3-2

 

[San Diego Padres]

Game 84: San Diego Padres at Philadelphia Phillies

Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images

Your game thread for June 30, 2025.

San Diego Padres at Philadelphia Phillies, June 30, 2025, 3:35 p.m. PST​

Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Watch: Padres TV

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

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GB community, this is your thread for today’s game. Enjoy!

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/6/30/24458138/game-84-san-diego-padres-at-philadelphia-phillies

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Padres blanked by Phillies in Waldron’s return

Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Everything you need to know about your San Diego Padres on the morning of July 1, 2025.

Articles to read​

Padres Reacts Survey: Does it make sense to trade Robert Suarez? Please participate!

Padres dominated by Zack Wheeler, Phillies (Matt DeWalt, Gaslamp Ball)

Answering your Padres questions: Pitching problems, the trade deadline and future free agents (Dennis Lin, The Athletic)

Padres Daily: Desperate times, desperate measures; Jackson Merrill’s catch; catchers (Kevin Acee, SD U-T)

Zack Wheeler, Phillies shut out Padres in series opener (Kevin Acee, SD U-T)

Padres’ Leo De Vries headed to All-Star Futures Game (Jeff Sanders, SD U-T)

Tom Krasovic: A.J. Preller’s Padres don’t appear to have much purchasing power as trade deadline nears (SD U-T)

Padres minors: Omar Cruz, relievers pitch El Paso to win (Jeff Sanders, SD U-T)

Fab Friar! Merrill’s HR robbery so good he needed to show proof (AJ Cassavell, MLB.com)

Vote Manny Machado for starting 3B in the All-Star Game (MLB.com)

Can Machado reach 3,000 hits, 500 HRs? His pace looks good (AJ Cassavell, MLB.com)

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/...padres-blanked-by-phillies-in-waldrons-return