One day after Adrian Morejon was unavailable for a relief appearance in Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Padres still weren't sure if the left-handed pitcher would be an option in Game 4, hours before the game's first pitch. Manager Craig Stammen told reporters Wednesday, Oct. 7 that Morejon will effectively be a game-time decision for the possible elimination game at Petco Park. Hopefulness is nice to have, but Stammen's optimism will only be rewarded if Morejo's "sticky" left shoulder cooperates.
Without him, Stammen asked starting pitcher Michael King to throw the final two innings of the Padres' 4-3 win in Game 3 on Tuesday. The win kept the Padres alive in the best-of-five series — and extended their season at least another day. San Diego was also without closer Mason Miller, which might also have played a part in Stammen's decision to use King for the game's final two innings.
Miller was placed on the paternity list immediately before the game Tuesday, then was activated prior to Wednesday's game. More news: Padres Lose Mason Miller Before Elimination Game in Surprising Coincidence Morejon made 76 appearances during the regular season for San Diego and threw 86 innings, leading all Padres relief pitchers in both categories. The left-hander was in the bullpen for Game 4, but Stammen said after the game that Morejon was off limits because of "stickiness in his shoulder." The 27-year-old left-hander made the National League All-Star team for the first time in 2025.
He is 32-14 with a 3.26 ERA in 261 innings in his eight year MLB career, all in San Diego. More news: Dodgers’ Postseason Hero Exits NLDS Game vs Braves With Back Injury Activating Miller, a right-hander, will help ease the burden on the rest of the Padres' bullpen. He led the Padres with 38 saves in the regular season, but allowed the game-winning hit with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 2.
Morejon appeared twice in the Padres' first four postseason games — a two-inning relief appearance in Game 1 in Milwaukee, and another Sept. 30 in a wild-card game against the Cubs. For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports
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