Matsui looks forward to key relief role with Padres as well as being teammates with Darvish
SAN DIEGO (AP) — New San Diego Padres reliever Yuki Matsui says he’s not expecting to come in and become the closer right away but is looking forward to pitching in big late-inning situations.
The 28-year-old left-hander is one of two new Padres relievers who will compete to replace All-Star closer Josh Hader, who became a free agent after last season, when San Diego flopped and missed the playoffs. Matsui, who signed on Dec. 23, can earn $33.6 million over five seasons if he becomes the team’s closer. He could opt out of the deal after three years and $14.5 million if his pitching elbow remains healthy.
The cost-cutting Padres also signed South Korean reliever Woo-Suk Go to a $4.5 million, two-year contract that includes a 2026 mutual option plus bonus and escalator provisions that could make the deal worth $9.4 million over three seasons if he closes regularly.
General manager A.J. Preller said last week the Padres will sort out roles during spring training. It’s likely Robert Suarez would begin the season as closer.
“The fact of the matter is, I haven’t pitched a single pitch in the big leagues yet. Maybe it’s not realistic to say that I’ll be pitching in the ninth inning as we start the season,” Matsui said through an interpreter during a videoconference with reporters on Tuesday. “But I’d like to just go in there when given the opportunity, get outs and sort of build a trust from the team and from my teammates. Hopefully, I’m in one of those high-leverage situations to pitch in games.”
The 5-foot-8 Matsui was a five-time All-Star in Japan for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, leading the Pacific League in saves in 2019, 2022 and 2023. He had a career-best 39 saves with a 1.57 ERA and 2-3 record last season, striking out 72 and walking 13 in 57 1/3 innings.
