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Best Padres reliever options to fill void after Jason Adam injury

ByWill Lockwood|
Aug 9, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Mason Miller (22) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
Aug 9, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Mason Miller (22) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | David Frerker-Imagn Images

The Padres have by far the best bullpen depth in all of Major League Baseball, as they have six guys who can confidently take on high-leverage roles. It is vital to have pitchers that can handle the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings for your ball club. The pitcher who comes in for the eighth inning is also known as the setup man, and the Padres had arguably the best one in the league.

Jason Adam made the move from the seventh-inning guy to the setup man after Tanner Scott signed with the Dodgers in free agency. To say Adam has been good in his new role is an understatement, as he has been absolute nails all season long. In 65.1 innings of work, he has a 1.93 ERA and has been a heavy strikeout pitcher.

In the seventh inning of Monday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, Adam suffered a season-ending injury. The 34-year-old ruptured quad during his windup, which left him writhing in pain on the mound, and he had to be carted off the field. Adam underwent surgery for the injury on Wednesday, which ended his 2025 season.

With Adam out for the rest of the season, Mike Shildt is going to need to bump up one of his already solid relievers to a higher-leverage role. The question remains who it will be. Here is a list of candidates to take on the setup man role for the remainder of the season.

Mason Miller

Mason Miller is by far the betting favorite to fulfill this role, as he was one of the league’s most electric closers before being traded to Southern California. On top of his very solid numbers, his fastball tops out at 104 mph. I couldn’t imagine being an opposing manager and having to face Mason Miller in the eighth, followed by Robert Suarez in the ninth, because that would be an absolute nightmare.

Jeremiah Estrada

Despite having an ERA of 18.47 against the Dodgers in 2025, Estrada has been exceptional out of the Padre bullpen for the sixth inning. In 63 innings of work, he has an ERA of 3.00. But his xERA is even better, sitting at 2.69, which is in the top 4% of all pitchers. This stat indicates that Estrada has been better than what his numbers actually show and that he could be seeing situations of higher leverage. There is no doubt in my mind that he can handle it.

Adrian Morejon

While Adrian Morejon is having a better season than Estrada, I think it is essential for him to remain in the role he is currently in. Mike Shildt is heavily reliant on Morejon when there are left-handed hitters due up in the order. In 29.1 innings pitched against lefties, the 26-year-old has posted a 2.47 ERA, a WHIP of 0.51, and opponents are batting .137. He is absolutely dominant against lefties, and it would be a mistake to take him out of the role that he has been dominant in.

As for what the team’s plans are for Adam’s replacement, there is no wrong way to go for Mike Shildt. The bullpen has so much depth that any of these three options could suffice when it comes to filling the setup man position.