The Padres will not have their star closer available for tonight’s must-win Game 3. Major League Baseball announced that it has approved Mason Miller registration on the paternity list. He will miss at least tonight’s game and could be out for up to three days if the Padres extend the series.
Wandy Peralta was activated to the roster as a temporary replacement. Peralta will be active for tonight’s game and could remain on the roster for Game 4 if Miller remains unavailable. Once Miller returns, Peralta will be disabled for the rest of the series.
Miller had a dominant season, leading the National League with 38 saves while posting a 1.67 ERA in 66 outings. He fanned nearly half of his opponents, comfortably leading baseball with a 47.4% strikeout rate. Miller pitched a scoreless frame with two strikeouts against the Cubs to complete a Wild Card Series sweep.
That made it all the more impressive that the Brewers were able to get to Miller on Sunday. San Diego called on the big right-hander for a two-inning save. Miller entered with a 3-2 lead and pitched a perfect eighth inning. He returned for the ninth with a chance to tie the series, but walked three of the first five batters he faced. Jackson Chourio threw Miller’s 40th pitch of the night into center field for a two-run single that put the Padres on the brink of elimination.
Last night’s travel day and the unavoidable nature of today’s game meant that Miller likely would have been available tonight despite the high pitch count. As he and his wife welcome their first child (addressed to Annie Heilbrunn of the San Diego Union-Tribune), it is likely that Adrien Morejón would be the best choice for a backup situation. Of course, the game scenario could force Craig Stammen to turn to Morejon sooner in a leverage situation. Bradley Rodriguez And Jason Adam There could be other options for a save if the Padres use Morejon in the middle of the inning.
Peralta worked 77 1/3 innings with a 3.61 ball ERA during the regular season, albeit with an unimpressive 15.6% strikeout rate. Traditionally a ground ball specialist, Peralta recorded a career-low 45.6% on the ground this season. He was also scratched for the Wild Card Series. Morejon and Yuki Matsui are ahead of him as left-handed relievers on the depth chart, and it would be a surprise if Peralta gets work unless the Padres win comfortably enough to preserve their leverage arms for Game 4.
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