Many talented pitchers vying for spots

Every pitcher on the Padres spring training roster is on a throwing program. A slow buildup to Opening Day that carefully balances getting ready with managing health, as well as not exposing them to opponents too soon.

The starters throw a lot on back fields, building up pitch counts and working on refining their pitches. Relievers are also on pitch counts and have days off between appearances as they also slowly increase their stamina and refine their stuff. It’s a carefully orchestrated dance that can be disrupted by illness, injury, or weather.

No Padres pitcher has suffered a serious injury so far this spring (knock on wood). But two of the relievers they highly value are apparently out for the start of the season. Long man Bryan Hoeing and power righty Sean Reynolds are both not throwing in spring games. They aren’t even throwing off the mound. Reynolds is in a walking boot and Hoeing came to camp with a sore right shoulder and is still just on flat ground with his throwing program. With just three weeks till opening day, neither looks to be ready in time.

The Padres still appear to have a strong bullpen, even with the setback of losing two talented pitchers to start the year. The options available are talented and the pool of pitchers is deep. With five starters needed for the first several weeks, eight men in the bullpen gives the team more flexibility. A look at the options for this year’s bullpen and what roles they could fill.

Long man and middle innings

The Padres traded cash to the White Sox to acquire RHP Ron Marinaccio. He has a minor league option left after spending most of last season with the Yankees’ Triple-A Scranton team. Before that, he pitched parts of three seasons for the Yankees with a 3.22 ERA in 114.2 innings.

LHP Wandy Peralta signed a four-year and $16.5 million contract with the Padres before the 2024 season. He had a player option for 2025, which he activated in November after an inconsistent and injury-marred 2024. Used in high-leverage situations early in the season, Peralta could be a better option as a middle reliever due to the quality of late-inning options on the roster.

LHP Yuki Matsui came to the Padres from Japan after signing a five-year, $28 million contract before the 2024 season. His adjustment to the Major League game improved as the season went along, and he finished with a 3.73 ERA in 62.2 innings. He was a closer in Japan but should be used only in middle relief for the Padres.

Alek Jacob is a righty reliever with a slower fastball and funky delivery/arm slot. He has an excellent changeup and can come in between power pitchers to provide a change of pace and a different look. He was back and forth between the Padres and Triple-A El Paso last season but was useful in the postseason.

Omar Cruz is a lefty who has started and relieved through his minor league career. Signed out of Mexico, the 26-year-old was traded to the Pirates as part of the Joe Musgrove deal but was reacquired in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft in 2023. He was put on the 40-man roster in November of last year after pitching in both Double-A and Triple-A last season with a 3.96 ERA in 86.1 innings and 118 K to 36 BB. He is perfect in his first three innings of spring training. He could be a long man or a fill-in for the rotation.

LHP Tom Cosgrove had an outstanding 2023 followed by a disappointing early 2024 that resulted in a demotion to the minors. Cosgrove lost effectiveness with his low 90’s four-seamer and his sinker. His spring thus far has not been encouraging, and he risks starting out the season in the minors again. Similar to Alek Jacob, he has to be accurate and consistent to be effective.

RHP Juan Núñez was claimed by General Manager A.J. Preller in the Rule 5 draft in December. He has not pitched above Single-A in the Orioles organization and must stay on the 26-man roster all season or else be offered back to the O’s. He features a mid-90’s fastball with good secondary pitches but lacks control with his inexperience.

The fifth rotation spot also could figure into providing help for the long man out of the pen until Hoeing is ready. Matt Waldron, Kyle Hart, Randy Vasquez or Stephen Kolek could serve in the role in the short term.

The two non-roster invitees that have impressed so far this spring are RHP Bradgley Rodriguez and RHP Francis Pena. Both feature high-90’s fastballs with good secondary pitches and have exhibited the ability to get hitters out this spring.

Late-inning relievers

The Padres are fortunate to have multiple power arms in the bullpen to protect leads going into the 2025 season. Although Tanner Scott left via free agency after last season, their options remain plentiful at this point.

RHP Jason Adam pitched in 73.2 innings in 2024 with a 1.95 ERA. He had four saves while backing up both Robert Suarez and Tanner Scott. Adam had a 38.4% strikeout rate for the season.

RHP Jeremiah Estrada was claimed off waivers from the Chicago Cubs in November of 2023. He started 2024 with the Triple-A Chihuahuas and after a month was called up to the Padres. Throwing in 61 innings with 94 K’s and 23 BB, Estrada was a revelation for the Padres. He quickly became a reliable late-inning reliever and looks to keep that trend going in 2025.

LHP Adrian Morejon is a story of determination. A highly rated prospect from a young age, Morejon has endured injury after injury that sidelined him repeatedly. At the age of 26, he has been in the system since the age of 17. A career starter until his return from Tommy John surgery in 2022, Morejon found success last season as a power lefty out of the bullpen. At FanFest, manager Mike Shildt dispelled rumors that Morejon could be lengthened out this season as a starter. The 2024 season was his first time being healthy and successful for an entire year. Allowing him to pitch in high-leverage situations in the back of the bullpen seems a much safer path for him.

RHP Robert Suarez was signed by the Padres out of Japan after the 2021 season. From 2022 to 2024, Suarez has pitched to a 2.89 ERA over 140.1 innings. He features a devastating fastball that tops out at over 100 mph. In 2024, he hit some bumps in the road as major league hitters adjusted to his fastball, and he has begun mixing in a sinker, changeup, and cutter to keep the hitters honest. How well he throws these secondary offerings could determine if he can continue as a dominant closer.