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Padres reliever did all he could in 3 NL Wild Card playoff appearances vs. Cubs

He will be a big part of the team's pen in 2026
ByWill Lockwood|
Sep 21, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Adrian Morejon (50) reacts after striking out Chicago White Sox outfielder Michael A. Taylor (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Adrian Morejon (50) reacts after striking out Chicago White Sox outfielder Michael A. Taylor (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

The 2025 season has hit the end of the road for the San Diego Padres, as they dropped the series “win-or-go-home” finale against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field by a final score of 3–1. It was a pitcher’s duel between the two National League stalwarts all series long, as neither team was able to eclipse three runs.

The bullpens on each side were lights out, allowing only five earned runs over the course of 32 innings pitched. Neither offense was able to get anything going when both managers went to the pen.

One reliever in particular for the Padres who deserves a tip of the cap is Adrián Morejón, who made appearances in all three games, pitching over a span of 4.1 innings with a total of 50 pitches.

It was the first time a relief pitcher made three consecutive appearances, with one of them lasting two innings or more, since 2019, when Adalberto Mejía did it with the Los Angeles Angels. The 26-year-old out of Cuba quite literally did all he could to give San Diego a chance to advance to the NLDS. 

Morejón’s status for Game 3 was up in the air at the time, but when Mike Shildt desperately needed outs, he had no choice but to summon the southpaw. The move paid dividends, as the Padres escaped the jam with a runner on third and one out.

Morejón’s final stat line in 2025 MLB playoffs: 4.1 IP, 2 hits, 0 earned runs, 2 strikeouts

The Padres’ roster will look a lot different come 2026, with players such as Luis Arráez, Dylan Cease, and Ryan O’Hearn all set to hit the open market this winter. On top of that, Robert Suarez is likely to opt out of his contract in search of a new, more lucrative deal.

After the heartbreaking loss, many fans across baseball consider the Padres one of the biggest disappointments this season. The reason is that they went all out at the deadline for rental players at the expense of the farm system.

While, in essence, this was the year for the Padres to go big, they should be happy that they are able to retain Morejón in their bullpen.

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