Jason Adam injury update clears the way for Padres to attack the starting pitching market

Jason Adam didn’t throw a pitch Tuesday, but he still managed to make the Padres’ trade deadline strategy much clearer. During a clubhouse interview shared by 97.3 The Fan, Adam said his injured right shoulder is improving and laid out a realistic path toward returning in late August. That would give him enough time to rebuild his workload and reclaim an important bullpen role before the postseason.

A.J. Preller’s quest to find more starting pitching can remain a top priority. The Padres don’t need another big time bullpen arm. What they really need is someone capable of reaching the sixth inning without turning every game into a group project.

Jason Adam’s update strengthens the Padres’ bullpen outlook

Adam has been on the shelf since the beginning of July with a strain of the subscapularis, one of the four muscles that make up the rotator cuff. Fortunately, his MRI revealed no major structural damage.

Still, he hasn’t started throwing, including with plyometric balls, and the Padres are waiting for the remaining discomfort to disappear before advancing his program.

“We’ve got to knock the last little bit out just to keep it from coming back,” Adam said, adding that “every day is getting better.”

We shouldn’t circle a late-August date in Sharpie. But the Padres at least have a reasonable roadmap. If his progression continues, the Friars could enter September with Mason Miller, Adrián Morejón, Jeremiah Estrada and Adam available for high-leverage innings. That is definitely a group that could handle October baseball. 

Adam had a 2.51 ERA and a team-leading 17 holds before the injury. His rough June doesn’t erase how valuable he’s been since arriving in San Diego. He gives the Padres another reliever who can miss barrels, get out of traffic and pitch against the opposition without needing protection, or a carefully manufactured matchup.

A.J. Preller must prioritize starting pitching at the deadline

The rotation doesn’t offer the same comfort. Potential returns from Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove would help, but a team fighting for a Wild Card spot cannot construct its entire stretch-run plan around rehab projections. Adam’s update is encouraging because his injury didn’t involve major structural damage. Pivetta and Musgrove are dealing with elbow issues. That’s a totally different game. 

Preller needs reliability on the mound, even more than star power. Find a starter who keeps the game within reach and prevents Craig Stammen from having to pull him in the fifth. Instead of asking those relievers to rescue games, the Padres can deploy them to finish games. That distinction could decide whether this team reaches October.

Adam’s late-August target is not a guarantee. But it’s enough information to shape a deadline plan. The Padres can see the outline of their postseason bullpen, and it remains one of the most intimidating groups in baseball.

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