Padres bullpen could receive a boost soon as key reliever progresses in injury rehab

The San Diego Padres' success in 2024 has had a lot of sources. Jackson Merrill has morphed into one of the best players in baseball despite being a rookie; Jurickson Profar has been a huge bargain; and the rotation has been largely great all season long. However, one of the more unsung parts of the Padres' roster has been their bullpen.

Robert Suarez has been a delight nearly all season long, but the Padres' new-look bullpen after a significant overhaul at the trade deadline now looks like one of the best units in baseball. Heading into the final weeks of the season when managing starters' innings holds greater importance, having a shutdown bullpen that is deep has a ton of value.

That depth is poised to increase even more if Wandy Peralta's rehab progress continues to go well.

Padres News: Wandy Peralta progressing in rehab assignment

San Diego made a significant investment when they signed Peralta to a four-year deal in February. After a pair of strong seasons with the Yankees in 2022 and 2023, Peralta's first season with the Padres has been a mixed bag. Not only has he been out with a thigh injury since mid-July, but his 4.50 ERA and questionable strikeout-to-walk ratio has left a lot to be desired.

A closer look at Peralta's profile this year does at least point to some level of optimism. While the strikeouts have been down and he has gotten hit pretty hard this year, Peralta is still very good at inducing ground balls and getting guys to chase out of the zone. His two rehab appearances have gone well, and one hopes he has used the downtime to make adjustments that will allow him to finish batters off more consistently.

At the end of the day, the Padres don't need Peralta to be a late-inning stopper. They have plenty of guys like Suarez, Jeremiah Estrada, Jason Adam, Tanner Scott, and Bryan Hoeing for that. What they can use is a guy that come in and get a double-play ball or keep the ball on the ground. If he can just be that upon his return, the Padres will be in even better shape than they already are.

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