Padres late-inning weapon may be cutting it close for 2026 Opening Day return

On Sept. 1, the Padres found themselves in a tie game against the Baltimore Orioles in the seventh inning. The score was 3–3, and Jason Adam, who had been lights out all year, was up in the count 1–2 on Gunnar Henderson. From his windup, Adam threw a slider, and on the follow-through collapsed in pain. It was revealed to be a ruptured quad tendon, ending his season.

Adam was arguably the best reliever the team had in 2025, as he posted a 1.93 ERA over 65.1 innings pitched. Not having him for the postseason proved to be costly, as the bullpen was gassed in Game 3, in which they lost to the Cubs 3–1.

Jason Adam’s timeline turns 2026 Padres Opening Day into a wait-and-see

Adam’s status for 2026 will be crucial, as the team is set to lose Robert Suárez in free agency. Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune provided a positive update on the 34-year-old.

“I’m doing well,” Adam said. “Just getting strength back is the biggest thing. God willing, I should be pitching in spring training. I don’t know if it’ll be right on time. There’s a chance I’m ready for opening day. That’s what we’re striving for, but we’re not going to be stupid about it.”

When the Padres acquired Mason Miller, the flamethrowing right-hander, from the Athletics, he was moved into the setup-man role while Adam shifted into the team’s seventh-inning man role.

With Suárez’s inevitable departure looming, it seems as if Miller will become the team’s closer, leading Adam to return to the setup role. Adrian Moréjon, Jeremiah Estrada, and David Morgan will take on the sixth and seventh innings, depending on what the situation entails.

Getting Adam back ahead of Opening Day would be huge for new Padres manager Craig Stammen, who may be underestimating how talented the bullpen is. Overall, this would be a huge boost for spring training.