News Padres Team Notes

[San Diego Padres]

Padres trade deadline shopping list: catching upgrade?

Atlanta Braves Sean Murphy | Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images

A.J. Preller has a long shopping list

It is a tradition like no other, sifting through the endless amount of trade rumors and determining which are true before the July 31 deadline. The San Diego Padres are not looking to make one big move. Instead, you can expect Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller to make two or three trades before the deadline.

Is a new catcher on the horizon​

Several media outlets have reported that Preller has made upgrading the catching position a top priority. He has put tons of pressure on himself to acquire the right catcher that puts them over the top in securing a postseason berth.

The Friars have not been linked to any specific catcher. However, the front office has done its due diligence and assessed the current landscape of the trade market. Both Elias Diaz and Martin Maldonado have regressed significantly at the plate, and the holes in their swings have made them a liability in the lineup. Preller is looking for a catcher who can do damage from the bottom of the order.

Braves Sean Murphy could be a trade option​

Atlanta Braves Sean Murphy could become available with the emergence of Drake Baldwin this season. Injuries and inconsistent play have forced the Braves to consider retooling their roster. The Padres could make a couple of low-level prospects available, as moving Murphy will provide more playing time for Baldwin.

The Friars are looking for a hitter who makes good decisions in the batter’s box and capitalizes on pitchers’ mistakes. Murphy is a proven power hitter and would be a significant upgrade over the Padres’ current options behind the dish. This season, he is batting .243 with 16 HR and 38 RBI in 63 games.

How long for the new catcher to get acclimated?​

The biggest fear is the potential adjustment needed with having a new backstop behind the plate. It will take some time for the pitching staff to get acclimated with throwing to a different target. Often, new catchers are playing catch-up in getting to know each arm on the staff. Miscommunication with calling pitch location will result in an increase in passed balls allowed.

Adding offense to the lineup cannot come at the expense of the defense. Murphy is an outstanding defensive catcher. It should not take him long to acclimate to his new surroundings.

The National League wildcard race is wide open, as the Friars control their destiny. However, they need a deeper lineup, and adding a good-hitting catcher will solve their bottom-of-the-order run production issues.

But at what price is Preller willing to solve this problem is unknown. He cannot deny the fact that acquiring a more permanent solution will end the mixing and matching that has failed this season.

It is up to Preller to settle on a reasonable price to upgrade the catching position.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/22/24472768/padres-trade-deadline-shopping-list-catching-upgrade

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Padres interested in Sandy Alcantara

Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Everything you need to know about your San Diego Padres on the morning of July 24, 2025.

Articles to read​

San Diego drops final game to Miami, lose series (Matt DeWalt, Gaslamp Ball)

Padres stymied by Sandy Alcantara, drop series to Marlins (Kevin Acee, SD U-T)

Sandy Alcantara, Dylan Cease duel as trade candidates, one more obvious than the other (Dennis Lin, The Athletic)

Padres look to regroup in playoff chase after tough set against Marlins (AJ Cassavell, MLB.com)

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/...an-diego-padres-interested-in-sandy-alcantara

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres lose slugfest to Cardinals

Wandy Peralta | Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Yu Darvish allows eight runs, San Diego drops third straight game

Yu Darvish allowed eight runs in his fourth start of the season and that proved to be too much for the San Diego Padres to overcome as they suffered a 9-7 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, Thursday.

Darvish was handed a 2-0 lead before he too the mound in the bottom of the first. The Cardinals responded with a run in the bottom half of the frame and the Padres saw their lead cut to 2-1. San Diego did not score in the top of the second and Darvish returned to the mound with the lead. By the time he walked off the mound St. Louis was comfortably in front.

Darvish had two outs with Jordan Walker on base. Darvish allowed a two out walk to Victor Scott II, which moved Walker to second. Both runners scored when Brendan Donovan hit a three-run home run to right field to give the Cardinals a 4-2 lead.

Brendan Donovan - St. Louis Cardinals (9)
pic.twitter.com/RnxMU3Y2pr

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) July 25, 2025​

Darvish then allowed a single and a double before Willson Contreras hit the second three-run home run of the inning to put St. Louis up, 7-2. Darvish got Nolan Arenado to ground out to end the scoring and the inning.

Willson Contreras - St. Louis Cardinals (14)
pic.twitter.com/En6fQFpWWK

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) July 25, 2025​

San Diego provided a quick response with Fernando Tatis Jr. opening the top of the third inning with a solo home run to right-center field to make the score 7-3.

Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado go deep and the @Padres are right back in this game pic.twitter.com/L344TNca51

— MLB (@MLB) July 25, 2025​

Louis Arraez followed Tatis Jr. with a double and Manny Machado brought him home with a two-run home run to make the score 7-5.

Manny Mash pic.twitter.com/kZ3CBtjC2q

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 25, 2025​

The Cardinals addd a run to their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when Ivan Herrera singled to score Scott II to make the lead 8-5 for St. Louis. That run ended the night for Darvish who had a final line of 3 1/3 innings pitched with eight runs allowed on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

San Diego added two runs in the top of the fifth inning when Jackson Merrill scored on a Gavin Sheets RBI-groundout to make the score 8-6. Xander Bogaerts went from second to third on the play. Bogaerts would later score when Bryce Johnson reached on a throwing error to make the score, 8-7.

The Cardinals were able to add a run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Herrera hit a solo home run off reliever Wandy Peralta to make the score 9-7.

Iván Herrera - St. Louis Cardinals (9)
pic.twitter.com/gMuR3O5kVE

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) July 25, 2025​

The top four batters for the Padres, Tatis Jr., Arraez, Machado and Merrill, finished the night a combined 10-for-19 with six runs scored, five RBI and a walk and four strikeouts. The bottom five spots in the San Diego lineup were a combined 3-for-22 with one run scored, one RBI and eight strikeouts.

The Padres play the Cardinals, Friday at 4:15 p.m.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/24/24474119/padres-lose-slugfest-to-cardinals

 

[San Diego Padres]

Game 104: San Diego Padres at St. Louis Cardinals

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Your game thread for July 25, 2025.

San Diego Padres at St. Louis Cardinals, July 25, 2025, 4:15 p.m. PST​

Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO

Watch: Padres TV

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

---

Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.

• Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
• Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
• Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads
• The commenting system was updated during the offseason. They’re still working on optimizing it for Game Day Threads like ours. If you don’t like clicking “Load More Comments”, remember that the “Z” key can be your friend. It loads up the latest comments automatically.

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

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/25/24469431/game-104-san-diego-padres-at-st-louis-cardinals

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres beat Cardinals to end losing streak at four games

Jake Cronenworth | Tim Vizer-Imagn Images

Jake Cronenworth scores two runs, proves to be the difference in the game

San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth has received some trade interest over the past week and he showed why with a 1-for-3 night with a double and two runs scored that proved to be the difference in a 3-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals, Saturday.

Cronenworth was hit by a pitch in the top of the second and reached first base with one out. He came around to score two batters later when Bryce Johnson hit a two-out single to center field, which resulted in a throwing error by Cardinals centerfielder Victor Scott II. Cronenworth crossed the plate and put the Padres up, 1-0.

Hit by Johnson. Wheels by Cronenworth. pic.twitter.com/3c6DZTTGMj

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 26, 2025​

St. Louis tied the game in the bottom of the second inning when Jordan Walker doubled to center field, which allowed Nolan Arenado, who reached on a one-out walk, to come home to make the score, 1-1.

#Padres 1 #Cardinals 1 [B2–2o]:

Jordan Walker doubles: line drive to CF
Hit: 109.2mph, 383ft, 17°, .741xBA

Pitch: 92.4mph Cutter (RHP R.Vásquez)#ForTheFaithful #ForTheLou #MLB pic.twitter.com/qc1ygTnFrR

— MLB Run Videos (@MLBRBIs) July 27, 2025​

San Diego regained the lead in the top of the fourth inning when Cronenworth led off with a double to right field. He moved to third base on a Jose Iglesias ground out for the first out of the inning. Johnson laid down a sacrifice bunt that allowed Cronenworth to score to put the Padres in front, 2-1.

Bryce Johnson executes a safety squeeze and reaches on a fielder's choice, while Jake Cronenworth slides in safely at home to put the Padres in front#ForTheFaithful pic.twitter.com/u7rChZMiZa

— San Diego Strong (@PadresStrong) July 27, 2025​

San Diego tacked on a run in the top of the ninth inning when Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a hard ground ball off the glove of Masyn Winn at shortstop. The ball kicked away from Winn and Johnson scored from third base to make the score, 3-1.

#Padres 3 #Cardinals 1 [T9–2o]:

Fernando Tatis Jr. grounds out: ground ball to SS
Hit: 89.1mph, 8ft, -23°, .147xBA

Pitch: 84.1mph Slider (RHP A.Granillo)#ForTheFaithful #ForTheLou #MLB pic.twitter.com/u8pgrN1LqN

— MLB Run Videos (@MLBRBIs) July 27, 2025​

Randy Vasquez continued to perform his role on the mound with another solid start that saw him unable to earn a win. Vasquez completed 4 2/3 innings and allowed one run on one hit with a walk and two strikeouts.

Vasquez handed the game over to the bullpen and watched as Adrian Morejon got the final out in the fifth and the first two outs in the sixth without allowing a run. Jeremiah Estrada finished the sixth and pitched a scoreless seventh and Jason Adam did the same in the eighth.

The game was turned over to Robert Suarez in the bottom of the ninth. The San Diego closer retired Alec Burleson with a strikeout and then hit Willson Contreras on an 0-2 pitch. Suarez got Nolan Arenado to fly out to right field and he secured the win for the Padres with a ground ball to shortstop resulted in a force out at second base.

San Diego plays St. Louis, Sunday at 11:15 a.m. to wrap up the four-game series.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/...-cardinals-to-end-losing-streak-at-four-games

 

[San Diego Padres]

Game 106: San Diego Padres at St. Louis Cardinals

Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Your game thread for July 27, 2025.

San Diego Padres at St. Louis Cardinals, July 27, 2025, 11:15 a.m. PST​

Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO

Watch: Padres TV

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

---

Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.

• Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
• Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
• Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads
• The commenting system was updated during the offseason. They’re still working on optimizing it for Game Day Threads like ours. If you don’t like clicking “Load More Comments”, remember that the “Z” key can be your friend. It loads up the latest comments automatically.

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

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/27/24469434/game-106-san-diego-padres-at-st-louis-cardinals

 

[San Diego Padres]

David Morgan poised to make an impact out of Padres bullpen

San Diego Padres David Morgan | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

The Friars hope the young reliever could be the missing piece late in games.

The San Diego Padres have stumbled out of the gate in the second half, with offensive struggles being the biggest obstacle to overcome. The bullpen has been the strength of the roster all season. However, its depth seemed challenged by the slow start after the All-Star break.

Despite all the accolades, major league teams never have enough pitching. Additions to the ‘pen will be needed to maintain the unit’s dominance. Whether it is tired arms or an injury, the Padres will need new faces to help them record more wins.

One player that has come out of nowhere to contribute is David Morgan, and he is poised to make an impact coming out of the bullpen.

Morgan has opened some eyes​

The right-hander has spent four seasons in the Friars’ farm system. Morgan struck out 143 batters (10.5 K9) and walked 43 of them (3.1 BB9) in his minor league career.

The young hurler has been showcasing his talents since being recalled in late May. He has thrown his four-seam fastball in the upper 90s, but Morgan has dominated opponents with his curveball. Opposing hitters are batting .218 against him since his call up.

He is on the verge of claiming a more prominent role in the bridge to the closer, Robert Suarez. Through 20 appearances and 24.0 innings pitched, Morgan has a 2.25 ERA with 24 strikeouts and two home runs allowed. The only concern has been his control. He has issued nine walks, which equates to a 2.5-1 walk-to-strikeout ratio.

Back end of Padres bullpen needs reinforcements​

Padres manager Mike Shildt has affectionately coined the backend of the bullpen (Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morejon, Jason Adam, and Suarez) as “The Four Horsemen.” However, their effectiveness has been tested with excessive use in the first half. Moving Morgan into more high-pressure late-inning situations would make the pen deeper and eliminate the threat of the Four Horsemen limping into August.

It would not be the first time Shildt moved a rookie into a more prominent bullpen role. You may recall Estrada’s introduction to the majors last season. He moved up the ladder quickly to become a key contributor in capturing a postseason berth last October.

Landing an impactful arm at the trade deadline is the goal of every contending team. The Friars would benefit from an internal addition like Morgan, who has proven to keep the base paths empty on most nights.

His value is exceedingly high, and he can carve out a decent major league career by succeeding with added responsibilities.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/...oised-to-make-an-impact-out-of-padres-bullpen

 

[San Diego Padres]

Game 107: New York Mets at San Diego Padres

Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Your game thread for July 28, 2025.

New York Mets at San Diego Padres, July 28, 2025, 6:40 p.m. PST​

Location: Petco Park, San Diego, CA

Watch: Padres TV, MLB Network

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

---

Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.

• Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
• Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
• Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads
• The commenting system was updated during the offseason. They’re still working on optimizing it for Game Day Threads like ours. If you don’t like clicking “Load More Comments”, remember that the “Z” key can be your friend. It loads up the latest comments automatically.

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

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/28/24475212/game-107-new-york-mets-at-san-diego-padres

 

[San Diego Padres]

Yu Darvish returns to form, Padres complete sweep of Mets

Yu Darvish | David Frerker-Imagn Images

San Diego win streak extends to five games with 5-0 win

Yu Darvish had his best start of the 2025 season and helped the San Diego Padres get a 5-0 win over the New York Mets at Petco Park, Wednesday.

Darvish came into the game looking for a bounce back performance after a terrible start on the road in St. Louis against the Cardinals his last time out. Darvish delivered seven innings of shutout baseball, allowing just two hits on 76 pitches.

Yu Darvish strikes out seven batters in his outing against the Mets, leaving the game after seven innings of work for the Padres

Mets @ Padres#ForTheFaithful | July 30, 2025 pic.twitter.com/uzxba2gJv5

— San Diego Strong (@PadresStrong) July 30, 2025​

The defense behind Darvish had another solid game where routine plays were made, but it also included some above average defensive plays and one outstanding play by San Diego second baseman Jake Cronenworth. With the Padres ahead 2-0 in the top of the third inning, Cronenworth tracked down a flare off the bat of Tyrone Taylor, which would have landed in shallow right field for a hit. Instead, Cronenworth dived and made the catch for the out.

Yu's reaction says it all pic.twitter.com/wiztJjd5FR

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 30, 2025​

Darvish was staked to an early lead thanks to Manny Machado. The San Diego third baseman broke a scoreless tie with a two-run single in the bottom of the second inning to score Martin Maldonado and Fernando Tatis Jr. to put the Padres ahead, 2-0.

Scheduled post. pic.twitter.com/ZTvCmemD42

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 30, 2025​

San Diego tacked on in the bottom of the third inning after a Francisco Lindor throwing error allowed Jose Iglesias to reach first base with two outs. Gavin Sheets, who was hitting in the eighth spot in the lineup, hit a deep fly ball to right-center field that resulted in a two-run home run and a 4-0 lead.

Bonds. Dairy Bonds. pic.twitter.com/6xsgDnf5ym

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 30, 2025​

The Padres scored the final run of the game in the eighth inning when Jackson Merrill hit a sacrifice fly to center field that allowed Tatis Jr. to tag and score from third base to give San Diego a 5-0 lead.

Jason Adam and Robert Suarez pitched the eighth and ninth innings respectively for the Padres as they cruised to a sweep of the Mets and extended their win streak to five games.

The Padres have the most shutouts in MLB, sweeping the Mets the day before the trade deadline! pic.twitter.com/fi4E8jOyG8

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) July 30, 2025​

San Diego is off Thursday and returns to action Friday as the Padres host the Cardinals at 6:40 p.m.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/...returns-to-form-padres-complete-sweep-of-mets

 

[San Diego Padres]

It’s time to pass the baton

Thank you all for reading

Hey everyone! Just a quick announcement. Today’s my last day as the Site Manager for Gaslamp Ball. This was a voluntary decision and I did this with you, the readers, in mind.

As a lifelong Padres fan, I’m so thankful that I was able to lead this site. I took pride in allowing this to be a place where fans can give their honest thoughts about the team, whether I agreed with them or not. Helping shape the future of Gaslamp Ball was an honor and I have Eric Stephen and SB Nation to thank for that.

Matt DeWalt will be taking over as the leader of this site and I know he, Cheri Bell and Thomas Conroy will continue to put out great Padres content for you every single week. Matt’s been doing the game recaps after every game and he’s able to be present more consistently at this time than I am.

I’ll still be posting Padres content over on my show Talking Friars. I just won’t be writing anymore here so if you still want to hear from me, that’s where you can.

Keep being passionate, Padres fans. One day a World Series will come to this town and it’s going to make the wait worth it!

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/31/24475207/its-time-to-pass-the-baton

 

[San Diego Padres]

Another trade deadline A.J. Preller made Peter Seidler proud

Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

Peter was all about winning and boy did Preller go all-in today

Peter Seidler was loved by Padres fans because he wanted to win at all costs. Didn’t matter if it put him into debt or if it meant overpaying to bring in or keep talent. He knew San Diego deserved it.

This was A.J. Preller’s second deadline without him and it was another one where he had to have made Peter smile up in heaven. Last year, he traded Robby Snelling and Dylan Lesko to improve the big league team. This year, it was top prospects Leo DeVries, Boston Bateman and Braden Nett, among others, to improve the pitching staff and insert more power into the lineup.

It’s all about winning for A.J.—just like it was for Peter and for that I say thank you on the behalf of Padres fans everywhere.

AJ Preller was asked what he thought Peter Seidler would say if AJ had a chance to speak with him after today's moves: pic.twitter.com/E7IwFp5ik6

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) August 1, 2025​

“He’d be super excited and pumped,” a smiling Preller told the media when asked what he thought Peter would say if he could speak to him after his moves. “I think positive as always. Peter, he would be asking a lot of questions...At the deadline he’d sit in the back of the room at times and he loved interacting with our whole staff and kinda seeing the process.”

“John (Seidler) got the chance to do that in the last few days as well but Peter...he loved the process he’d always tell people. He’d go in the room, see the debates. He loved hearing the talk and then super supportive of whether we got the guys we ultimately aimed out to get or not. Today we lined up on some targets and I think he’s super proud, super excited.”

Super proud indeed. His guy is running the show how Peter would run it.

Fearless.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/7/...deadline-a-j-preller-made-peter-seidler-proud

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Preller goes all-in at MLB trade deadline

AJ Preller | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

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

Another trade deadline A.J. Preller made Peter Seidler proud - Gaslamp Ball (Ben Fadden)

Padres add payroll and strengthen the team - Gaslamp Ball (Cheri Bell)

Padres get their slugger; shed prospects - Gaslamp Ball (Cheri Bell)

Padres acquire a catcher; trade Bergert and Kolek - Gaslamp Ball (Cheri Bell)

Padres trade Leo De Vries for pitching - Gaslamp Ball (Cheri Bell)

Padres trade for Mason Miller, JP Sears; deal Leo De Vries (AJ Cassavell – Padres.com)

Ryan O’Hearn, Ramón Laureano and Freddy Fermin traded to Padres (AJ Cassavell – Padres.com)

Already on a roll, Padres ready to roll out their new look (AJ Cassavell – Padres.com)

With trades, Padres try to eliminate any ‘weak links’ (Kevin Acee – U-T)

What’s left in the Padres’ minor-league system after Thursday’s trades (Jeff Sanders – U-T)

Padres acquire Nestor Cortes, keep Dylan Cease (Kevin Acee – U-T)

A.J. Preller’s busiest deadline day was a sight to behold: ‘Something out of a video game’ - The Athletic (Dennis Lin)

Three Padres takeaways from A.J. Preller’s wildest trade deadline yet - The Athletic (Dennis Lin)

Padres fix their offense with Ryan O’Hearn, Ramón Laureano at reasonable prospect cost - The Athletic (Keith Law)

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/8/...ego-preller-goes-all-in-at-mlb-trade-deadline

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres take advantage of mistakes by Cardinals, earn 4-1 win

Nick Pivetta | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

Nick Pivetta pitches seven innings, allows one run on one hit

The San Diego Padres took advantage of sloppy defense by Willson Contreras and the St. Louis Cardinals and turned the mistakes into a 4-1 win at Petco Park, Friday.

Jake Cronenworth was on first base in the bottom of the fifth inning after a one-out walk. Jose Iglesias hit a ground ball to third base and Nolan Gorman made a throw that glanced off the glove of first baseman Contreras and allowed him to reach safely. Contreras retrieved the ball and threw it away with a throw to third base, allowing Cronenworth to score to tie the game, 1-1. Iglesias was able to advance to second on the play.

In play, run(s) pic.twitter.com/W7oqu6Pfwx

— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) August 2, 2025​

Elias Diaz followed with a single to center field that allowed Iglesias to score to give San Diego a 2-1 lead. Fernando Tatis Jr. worked a walk to put runners at first and second and Luis Arraez singled to load the bases.

Manny Machado faced St. Louis reliever Matt Svanson, who came in to replace starter Matthew Liberatore. He struck out for the second out of the inning. Jackson Merrill stepped in and delivered a two-out two-run single that put San Diego in front 4-1. Xander Bogaerts lined out to end the inning, but the four runs were an emphatic response to the run scored by St. Louis in the top of the fifth.

Jackson Merrill has entered the chat. pic.twitter.com/aoJdU9GZXL

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 2, 2025​

Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta did not allow a hit until the top of the fifth inning. Contreras hit a solo home run to left center field that gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.

Willson Contreras - St. Louis Cardinals (15)
pic.twitter.com/nVxl9XQTDq

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) August 2, 2025​

Pivetta completed seven innings and allowed just one run on one hit with five strikeouts and no walks allowed. He turned the ball over to one of the new San Diego roster additions, Mason Miller, in the top of the eighth inning.

Miller allowed back-to-back singles, but then struck out Jordan Walker and induced a ground ball double play off the bat of Yohel Pozo to complete a scoreless inning in his first appearance as a member of the Padres.

STRAIGHT GAS from Mason Miller for his first @Padres strikeout!

103 MPH! ️ pic.twitter.com/8Z3g5BgO6H

— MLB (@MLB) August 2, 2025​

Robert Suarez came on in the top of the ninth inning and allowed a leadoff single to Victor Scott II. He then got a fly out from Brendan Donovan and a ground ball double play from Ivan Herrera to seal the win and get the save.

Padres win game one vs. St. Louis! pic.twitter.com/KUMOXkHuyI

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) August 2, 2025​

The Padres host the Cardinals for the second game of their series, Saturday at 7:10 p.m.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/8/...vantage-of-mistakes-by-cardinals-earn-4-1-win

 

[San Diego Padres]

Manny Machado has quietly become an NL MVP candidate

San Diego Padres Manny Machado | Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images

Seeking his first MVP honor.

After catching his breath from playing in the All-Star Game, San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado has taken off with his bat and glove in the second half of the season. Hopefully, it will be enough to join the conversation in contending for the 2025 National League Most Valuable Player Award.

Machado is putting on a hitting display​

Batting for average is emphasized less in today’s baseball. But Machado has been putting on a hitting display since the second half started. He is batting .388 (21-54) with 3 HRs and 15 RBIs. Machado has turned pitchers’ mistakes into runs for team victories.

Part of his newfound impact at the plate stems from cutting down his strikeout rate. Currently, it stands at 17%, which is the lowest rate in his career since 2020. Machado is not getting fooled by offspeed pitches; instead, he is doing damage by increasing his hard-hit rate (53%) when making solid contact.

Being more aggressive earlier in the count has raised his on-base percentage by 40 points to re-establish himself as one of the best power-hitters in baseball. It helped him to secure a starting assignment at the All-Star Game over Eugenio Suarez.

Machado is hitting .302 with 20 HRs and 71 RBIs. He leads the team in batting average, hits, home runs, and RBIs. The seven-time All-Star has done a good job of controlling the strike zone for his major league career, but his plate discipline has been off the charts in 2025.

Defensive lapses have plagued Machado​

All baseball players experience stretches of defensive lapses, and Machado is currently battling through one of these periods in 2025. He leads the majors with 14 fielding errors.

Some have suggested Machado’s arm strength is declining, but the data does not support these claims. His arm strength (86.1 MPH) is the strongest since 2022 (86.4 MPH). Machado loves to trick hitters into thinking they have a chance to leg out an infield hit, only to throw a laser and get them by a step at first base.

Padres pitchers still have confidence in his glove, even though Machado’s range may not be like it once was. His baseball instincts and IQ are among the best in the sport today. He positions himself to muster enough range that allows them to remain aggressive on the mound.

Machado is at his best when he lets his baseball instincts take over to make all the plays.

What Machado means to San Diego​

Tony Gwynn built Petco Park, but Machado made it fun to root for the Friars again.

He has risen from being baseball’s bad boy to becoming a true team leader. Machado has led the Padres to three postseason appearances (2020, 2022, and 2024) since shocking the baseball universe and signing with the San Diego before the 2019 season. Now, the Friars are regarded as perennial postseason contenders.

Machado has revolutionized the franchise, as he transformed the Gaslamp Quarter structure from a must-see attraction during your vacation to America’s Finest City into one of the hottest tickets in the majors. The atmosphere is carnival-like on most nights.

Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is the prohibitive favorite to win back-to-back NL MVPs, but players like Machado are making their case for consideration.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/8/2/24479612/manny-machado-has-quietly-become-an-nl-mvp-candidate

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres win-streak snapped by Cardinals

Jackson Merrill | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

Randy Vasquez allows five runs, takes loss

Randy Vasquez started on the mound for the San Diego Padres and worked three scoreless innings to start the game. He came to the mound in the top of the fourth inning with a 4-0 lead, but the St. Louis Cardinals scored four runs on four hits, which included a three-run home run by Pedro Pages that helped St. Louis make the score 4-4 after the top half of the fourth.

Pedro Pagés - St. Louis Cardinals (7) pic.twitter.com/gaVZ8lTd6K

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) August 3, 2025​

The Cardinals added four more runs in two of the next five innings to take an 8-4 win over the Padres at Petco Park, Saturday.

Vasquez was able to get out of the fourth and returned to the mound in the top of the fifth inning. He allowed a leadoff single to Ivan Herrera and was replaced on the mound by Jeremiah Estrada. He issued a walk to Alec Burleson, but got Willson Contreras to strikeout for the first out of the inning. Estrada then struck out Lars Nootbaar, but with two on and two out, Masyn Winn hit a line drive to left that got down the line and allowed Herrera and Burleson to score to give St. Louis a 6-4 lead.

Masyn Winn keeps it fair to give us the lead! pic.twitter.com/QOr0ro0rKw

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 3, 2025​

Vasquez’s final line was four-plus innings with five runs allowed on eight hits with three strikeouts and no walks.

The Cardinals added two runs in the top of the ninth inning off Padres reliever Yuki Matsui. He allowed back-to-back one out singles and hit Herrera to load the bases. Burleson singled to score Victor Scott II to make the score 7-4. The bases remained loaded. With one out, Contreras hit a sacrifice fly to score Brendan Donovan to make the score 8-4.

San Diego added a run in the bottom of the ninth inning when Freddy Fermin hit an RBI-single to right field that scored Jose Iglesias, who started the inning with a walk, to make the score, 8-5.

The Padres started hot and scored four runs in the first three innings. One of those runs came on a triple down the right field line by Ramon Laureano that allowed Xander Bogaerts to score from first base to put San Diego in front 2-0.

Welcome to San Diego, Ramón!! pic.twitter.com/pL4b2oOsLZ

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 3, 2025​

Jake Cronenworth followed Laureano and was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners. That allowed Fermin to come up with a runner in scoring position and one out. He chopped a ball to the right side of the infield and Laureano scored from third on an RBI-groundout to put the Padres up 3-0 after the second inning.

Jackson Merrill added the fourth run for the Padres in the bottom of the third inning when he delivered a solo home run to center field that gave the Padres a 4-0 lead heading into the top of the fourth.

We like to call him Action Jackson pic.twitter.com/a2aGe8HaNh

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 3, 2025​

San Diego closes out the series with St. Louis, Subday at 1:10 p.m.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/8/2/24479882/padres-win-streak-snapped-by-cardinals

 

[San Diego Padres]

Jake Cronenworth, Jackson Merrill deliver big hits as Padres route Cardinals

Jake Cronenworth | Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

San Diego wins series over St. Louis, ends homestand 5-1

Jackson Merrill stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning with the bases loaded and one out, and the San Diego Padres leading 2-0. Merrill faced St. Louis Cardinals reliever Gordon Graceffo, who issued a four-pitch walk to Manny Machado. Merrill hit a ground ball down the first base line that stayed fair and rolled into the corner. Freddy Fermin, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Machado scored to put the Padres ahead 5-0.

All our homies love Action Jackson. pic.twitter.com/AXi7FqKgXR

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 3, 2025​

Merrill stopped at third with a triple and later scored on a Xander Bogaerts sacrifice fly to center field that put San Diego ahead 6-0 en route to a 7-3 win over St. Louis at Petco Park, Sunday.

The Padres had scoring opportunities throughout the game and had runners at first and second with no outs in bottom of the second and bottom of the third innings against the Cardinals. San Diego was held without a run in both innings, despite loading the bases in the third.

The Padres finally broke through against Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jake Cronenworth hit a one-out two-run home run to open the scoring for the Padres.

Jake Cronenworth puts the @Padres in front! pic.twitter.com/snliS2yHwQ

— MLB (@MLB) August 3, 2025​

San Diego starting pitcher Dylan Cease labored through five innings on the mound, throwing 90 pitches. Despite the number of pitches, Cease allowed just one hit and one walk without allowing a run. He also recorded nine strikeouts.

Dylan Cease strikes out nine in scoreless start

Dylan Cease strikes out nine batters over five scoreless innings while allowing only one hit in his start against the Cardinals

Cardinals @ Padres#ForTheFaithful | August 3, 2025 pic.twitter.com/CQ3dAVhddC

— San Diego Strong (@PadresStrong) August 3, 2025​

Cease turned the ball over to Jason Adam in the sixth inning and Adam made quick work of three St. Louis hitters. He recorded a groundout, and two fly outs on just 12 pitches for a scoreless inning.

Jeremiah Estrada also pitched a scoreless inning in the top of the seventh. He struck out all three batters he faced, doing so on 10 pitches and just missed an Immaculate Inning.

Jeremiah Estrada with as dominant an inning as you'll see. He threw 10 pitches. Nine of them were strikes. The only ball was a splitter that looked like it painted the corner, too. Only one Padre has thrown an immaculate inning - Brian Lawrence in 2002. Estrada nearly joined him.

— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) August 3, 2025​

David Morgan worked a scoreless eighth inning despite allowing a walk to leadoff batter Yohel Pozo. He later advanced to second on a wild pitch, but was stranded there when Morgan struck out the next three batters he faced. The three strikeouts for Morgan were part of 16 total strikeouts for Padres pitchers in the game.

Ramon Laureano recorded his first home run as a member of the Padres with a leadoff solo home run to right field in the bottom of the eighth inning to put San Diego ahead, 7-0.

Ramón does this. pic.twitter.com/qIp15zlluZ

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 3, 2025​

Adrian Morejon came in for the top of the ninth inning and allowed back-to-back singles to start the inning. He walked Willson Contreras to load the bases. Morejon then gave up a single to Nolan Gorman that allowed St. Louis to avoid the shutout to make the score 7-1. Jordan Walker followed with a single that plated another run for the Cardinals to cut the deficit to 7-2.

Robert Suarez was called on to relieve Morejon and end the St. Louis threat. Suarez entered with the bases loaded and no outs and quickly recorded the first out of the inning with a three-pitch strikeout. Suarez got the second out on a sacrifice fly ball to left field that allowed another run to cross the plate to make the score 7-3 with two outs. Victor Scott II singled to load the bases again, but Suarez ended the game when he snared a line drive off the bat of Masyn Winn to earn his 32 save.

May have took longer than we wanted but the Padres win the series finale to take the series pic.twitter.com/c8ru2BHaZo

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) August 3, 2025​

San Diego heads to Arizona to take on the Diamondbacks, Monday at 6:40 p.m.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/8/...ll-deliver-big-hits-as-padres-route-cardinals

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: New-look offense on display for Padres in win over Cardinals

Jake Cronenworth and Ramon Laureano | Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Everything you need to know about your San Diego Padres on the morning of August 4, 2025.

https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/8/...ll-deliver-big-hits-as-padres-route-cardinals (Matt DeWalt - Gaslamp Ball)

https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/8/3/24479731/padres-minor-league-update-week-18 (Cheri Bell - Gaslamp Ball)

https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/dylan-cease-stellar-in-first-start-after-trade-deadline (AJ Cassavell - Padres.com)

https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/michael-king-close-to-return-nestor-cortes-off-injured-list (AJ Cassavell - Padres.com)

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/08/03/padres-hold-on-to-take-series-from-cardinals/ (Kevin Acee – U-T)

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.co...amon-laureano-is-the-right-fit-in-left-field/ (Tom Krasovic – U-T)

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/08/03/nestor-cortes-arrives-randy-vasquez-to-be-optioned/ (Kevin Acee – U-T)

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6532953/2025/08/03/padres-mason-miller-bullpen-arms-race/ (Dennis Lin – The Athletic)

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/8/...e-on-display-for-padres-in-win-over-cardinals

 

[San Diego Padres]

Game 113: San Diego Padres at Arizona Diamondbacks

Gavin Sheets | Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Your game thread for August 4, 2025.

San Diego Padres at Arizona Diamondbacks, August 4, 2025, 6:40 p.m. PST

Location: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ

Watch: Padres TV

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

---

Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.

• Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
• Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
• Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads
• The commenting system was updated during the offseason. They’re still working on optimizing it for Game Day Threads like ours. If you don’t like clicking “Load More Comments”, remember that the “Z” key can be your friend. It loads up the latest comments automatically.

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

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/8/4/24480481/game-113-san-diego-padres-at-arizona-diamondbacks

 

[San Diego Padres]

Game 112: St. Louis Cardinals at San Diego Padres

Dylan Cease | Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

St. Louis Cardinals at San Diego Padres, August 3, 2025, 1:10 p.m. PST

Location: Petco Park, San Diego, CA

Watch: Padres TV

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

---

Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.

• Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
• Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
• Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads
• The commenting system was updated during the offseason. They’re still working on optimizing it for Game Day Threads like ours. If you don’t like clicking “Load More Comments”, remember that the “Z” key can be your friend. It loads up the latest comments automatically.

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

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/8/3/24479895/game-112-st-louis-cardinals-at-san-diego-padres

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres minor league update: week 18

The San Diego Padres dipped into their prospect capital at the trade deadline to acquire significant pieces for the big league club. Starting with a system that evaluators didn’t rate highly to begin with (bottom five on every list), General Manager AJ Preller dealt 11 players from the minor league ranks, as well as three of the Padres’ 40-man roster pieces, to acquire eight players, with two of them starting off in the minor leagues.

Traded away

Low-A Lake Elsinore Storm lost LHP Boston Bateman, the top pitching prospect in the system, as well as IF/OF Victor Figueroa, SS Cobb Hightower, and reliever Tanner Smith. All of whom were drafted in 2024.

High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps lost IF Brandon Butterworth and shortstop Leodalis De Vries. De Vries, 18 years old, was the organization’s top-rated prospect. Butterworth was also from the 2024 draft.

Double-A San Antonio Missions lost C Brandon Valenzuela, RHP Henry Baez, RHP Braden Nett, and reliever Tyson Neighbors. All four of these players could have figured into the Padres’ roster in 2026.

Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas lost reliever Eduarniel Nunez, RHP Stephen Kolek, and OF Brandon Lockridge.

Acquired via trade

Shortstop Jorge Quintana came from the Brewers and was immediately sent to the ACL Padres to slide into the organization. He will most likely end up in Lake Elsinore.

Infielder Will Wagner was acquired from the Blue Jays in exchange for Brandon Valenzuela and was sent to El Paso. Valenzuela had to be added to the 40-man roster at the end of the season or be lost to free agency. With the acquisition of Freddy Fermin, Valenzuela was unlikely to have a spot on the major league team.

El Paso Chihuahuas (55-49 record, 2nd in PCL, East)

Reliever Ron Marinaccio was optioned back to El Paso after the trades. IF Ripken Reyes and LH reliever Jake Higginbotham were promoted to El Paso.

RHP Matt Waldron continues to pitch well for El Paso and remains a viable option for the Padres. His likelihood of being used is diminished now that the organization bolstered their starting pitching with two veterans added via trade.

Bryan Hoeing and Sean Reynolds are both pitching well in relief and provide support for the bullpen. Kyle Hart and Alek Jacob remain on the 40-man roster as further depth.

Tyler Wade was DFA’d by the Padres and could conceivably pass through waivers and stay with the organization in El Paso. Trenton Brooks was also DFA’d, but his future is not known either. Utilityman Mason McCoy will most likely be the call-up in case of an infield injury.

It seems there does not need to be any further discussion about the status of Luis Campusano in the organization.

San Antonio Missions (52-47 record, 2nd in Texas league, south)

The Missions received RH reliever Garrett Hawkins, RHP Miguel Mendez, RHP Eric Yost, C Oswaldo Linares, and LH reliever Austin Krob after the deadline. Mendez definitely deserved the promotion, and Yost has also pitched very well. Hawkins has handled high-leverage situations well, and the Missions needed a replacement for Valenzuela at catcher.

LF/DH Albert Fabian continues to hit well after his promotion and has a .340 average and .938 OPS in 53 at-bats with San Antonio. He has struck out 11 times and has six walks.

1B Romeo Sanabria leads the team with 43 RBI and 9 HR. He is hitting .273 with a .714 OPS.

RHP Jagger Haynes is now the leading starter with 89.1 innings pitched and a 3.93 ERA. He has 90 K/50 BB. Command and consistency have both been issues for him this season.

Fort Wayne TinCaps (48-50 record, 5th in Midwest league, east)

The TinCaps are now playing Ryan Jackson at shortstop and Rosman Verdugo at second after the loss of De Vries and Butterworth. C Lamar King Jr., IF Chase Valentine, IF Zach Evans, and OF Kasen Wells were all promoted to Fort Wayne.

OF Nerwellian Cedeno leads the team with a .273 average, while OF Braedon Karpathios has a .782 OPS. Karpathios is the HR leader with 11 and also has the most RBI with 50.

With Miguel Mendez and Eric Yost both promoted to San Antonio, the TinCaps will hope that Emanuel Pinales will continue to pitch well. In his five games started and 25.2 innings, Pinales has a 1.40 ERA with 27 K/7 BB. Luis Gutierrez has a 3.66 ERA in 32 innings pitched and seven games started.

Lake Elsinore Storm (46-53 record, 3rd in Cal league, south)

Although top pitching prospect Boston Bateman was traded, Lefty Kash Mayfield remains. Rated just below Bateman, Mayfield has been slowed this season by a sore shoulder earlier in the year and a cautious organization is keeping the stress to a minimum. Besides Mayfield, the Storm has surging right-hander Maikel Miralles as well as Humberto Cruz. Both are being brought along slowly.

After the trade deadline, the Storm received several players, who recently signed from the 2025 draft. OF Cardell Thibodeaux, 3B Kerrington Cross, and SS Dylan Grego, all joined the team on Friday. There were also a handful of players who came to the Storm after the completion of the ACL season.

Reliever Tucker Musgrove was placed on the 7-day IL.

With all the movement throughout the system, it will be a couple of weeks to establish new norms for the minor league teams. The Storm lost two prominent position players, and promotions further affected the lineup.

ACL Padres completed their season last week with a 14-46 record, last in the West Division. Several of their members were sent to play elsewhere, and the next week will be notable for determining who is where.

New shortstop Jorge Quintana was officially assigned to the ACL, but that is just an official designation for the purposes of assessing where he is at developmentally. Most likely, we will see him in Lake Elsinore soon.

After a topsy-turvy end of the week, the minor league Padres affiliates still have a month of baseball to go. How the new players, the recent promotions, and the loss of talent affects the standing of each team will be seen over the next month.

The organization undoubtedly lost a lot of talent, but with drafting and development, the Padres will refill the ranks. The best news is that with the recent additions, next season the roster will be more complete and shouldn’t require wholesale changes (fingers crossed).

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/2025/8/3/24479731/padres-minor-league-update-week-18