Padres’ WBC absences opened a golden opportunity for a high-upside bullpen arm

Considering 11 members of the San Diego Padres (13 if you include those in the Designated Pitcher Pool) have left camp to join their respective countries for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, there are going to be ample opportunities for less heralded players to make a name for themselves in camp over the next few weeks.

Specifically, Bradgley Rodriguez looks like someone primed to break out. The Friars will be missing three members of their projected Opening Day bullpen — Yuki Matsui (Japan), Mason Miller (USA), and Wandy Peralta (Dominican Republic) — while the WBC ensues, giving 22-year-old relief prospect plenty of time to shine.

Bradgley Rodriguez can make Opening Day case with Padres amidst WBC-fueled bullpen absences

Rodriguez was already getting some Opening Day roster hype earlier this offseason, and he's done nothing to dispel that notion this spring. Through four appearances in spring training thus far, the right-hander has tossed four scoreless innings while striking out 38.5% of the hitters he's seen.

That's a mere continuation from where he left off in 2025; last season, he made the jump straight from Double-A to the majors, allowing just one run in his 7 2/3 innings of work in San Diego. In 33 appearances between Double-A and Triple-A, he recorded a 3.19 ERA with a 25.3% strikeout rate.

If Rodriguez continues to dominate spring training competition, it'll be a boon for his chances to avoid another tripl to El Paso this year. The Padres' bullpen is incredibly, but there is at least one spot open for a newcomer now that former closer Robert Suarez is in Atlanta.

Right now, the locks among the group are Miller, Peralta, Matsui, Adrian Morejon, Jeremiah Estrada, and David Morgan. Ron Marinaccio is also a safe bet after he thoroughly impressed in limited duty last year, and he's got a leg up on others like Rodriguez since he's out of minor-league options.

That leaves one position available in the eight-man crew, and even that is tenuous pending Jason Adam's recovery timeline. It's highly unlikely he's ready for Opening Day (or, really, anything close to it), but the 34-year-old will return to his post as a set-up man once he's healthy.

Can Rodriguez do enough between now and then to prove himself worthy of a permanent roster spot? It'll be a tough ask given how much competition there is to sort through — Ty Adcock and Daison Acosta are both on the 40-man roster, and there's a long list of starting pitchers in camp who could convert to bulk relief if needed — but as a top prospect with electric stuff, Rodriguez has as good a chance as anyone to impress the right people in the building.