CHANCE FOR ADAMS TO SHOW WORTH
The Padres raved about the right arm of Austin Adams when insisting on his inclusion in the trade that installed Austin Nola as their regular catcher. Now that his left knee is healthy enough to get into games, the Padres have a week to see what the 29-year-old reliever could add to their bullpen.
Padres rookie manager Jayce Tingler stopped short of calling his activation a postseason roster audition, but …
“It’s certainly an opportunity,” Tingler said Sunday morning. “We’ve seen him pitch really well in the past. Now he’s coming off some injury and coming off a lot of time (off). We also know … he’s got experience and he’s been throwing the ball over at USD very well. I would call it an opportunity, for sure.”
Adams struck out 53 in 32 innings (3.94 ERA) but underwent surgery on his left knee in the offseason and was on the Mariners’ 60-day injured list when the Padres acquired him, Nola and reliever Dan Altavilla before the trade deadline.
His mid-90s four-seamer and sinker and a slider that pushes 90 mph is a dream at the back of the bullpen, but Adams also hasn’t pitched in a big-league game since Sept. 21, 2019. The Padres have exactly six games to see how game-ready his stuff is.
It will have to look pretty sharp, too, to carve a out a role in a bullpen that’s rounded into form.
Trevor Rosenthal, Drew Pomeranz and Emilio Pagan are certain inclusions, and the Padres appear intent on using Garrett Richards in relief in at least the best-ofthree wild-card round.
Left-hander Matt Strahm (knew) would also be a lock if he’s able to return from the injured list.
Beyond those five, lefthander Tim Hill and righthander Pierce Johnson have pitched their way to the top of the depth chart. Other names on the active roster fighting for spots in the postseason bullpen include right-handers Altavilla and Craig Stammen and lefthanders Adrian Morejon and Joey Lucchesi.
Right-hander Chris Paddack could also move to the bullpen in the opening round.
So where might Adams fit?
That depends on what the Padres see this week.
“We know he’s a great competitor and he’s got real weapons,” Tingler said. “Now it’s been a while since he’s pitched so we need to find spots for him early on and let him get the confidence going, let him get some outs. But he’s got real weapons. We think he’s got a chance to add very good value, not only to the team but certainly the bullpen.
“Here in the next couple games we’re going to find some windows for him to get in there and look forward to him getting in there and just competing again.”
Notable
Right-hander Mike Clevinger, who was scratched from Saturday’s start with a biceps strain, threw on flat ground Sunday and from distances beyond 100 feet. Clevinger will throw a bullpen during today’s offday and could rejoin the rotation as soon as Wednesday. Zach Davies will start Tuesday against the Angels, who will be here for a twogame series.
• RHP Luis Patiño was optioned to the alternate site to make room for Adams on the active roster. Patiño has a 5.51 ERA through his first 161⁄3 innings in the majors. To make room for Adams, RHP Kirby Yates (elbow) was transferred to the 45-day injured list.
• OF Trent Grisham walked twice during an 0for-4 game to extend his onbase streak to a career-best 15 games.