HAPPY-GO-LUCKY BULLPEN ARM READY FOR WHATEVER ARRIVES

In his first full bigleague season, right-hander Nabil Crismatt pitched the second-most innings of any Padres reliever last year, just behind Craig Stammen. The 27-yearold Colombia native is at it again this year, stepping up whenever the Padres need him, whether it be a spot start, a high-leverage situation or mop-up innings. Known for his happy personality and infectious smile, Crismatt has become a favorite among teammates and fans.

Q:

Do you know what Nabil means?

A:

It’s a Palestine name, Arabic. It means like a person that is really kind and happy.

Q:

Let’s go back to the first week of the season when you started a game because of a late scratch from Blake Snell, who was injured. You were told you were going to start at the very last minute. That was the first time you started a game in the majors and you went three scoreless innings. Just last week, you came in against the Braves and pitched in a high-leverage situation that led to a Padres win. You’re down for anything, right?

A:

I like whatever. It was amazing. I feel like every day I get more experience and I just feel very comfortable to go out there and try to do my best every time they give me the opportunity. ... So I just tried to go out there and do my thing.

Q:

Do you enjoy starting? Was it a different adrenaline rush?

A:

I love it. All my minor league career, I was a starter. I really like to be a starter. But whatever they need me for here, I’m here for that. I hope in the future, I get another opportunity like that one.

Q:

You signed with the Mets in 2012 and didn’t make it to the majors until 2020, when you made your debut. Let’s talk about the years in between. What was significant about those years, when you were laboring through and trying to make it to the big leagues?

A:

I played all the levels in the minor leagues. I feel I learned every single thing at each level. And I feel I was prepared when the opportunity came here to the big leagues. I passed through all that in the minor leagues and that helped me a lot. So thank God I’m here. I’m trying to be here for many years.

Q:

You made your debut with the Cardinals in 2020. You pitched 81⁄3 innings that season. In 2021, you pitched 811⁄3 innings. Quite the jump. It wasn’t like you hadn’t done it in the minors — you had pitched 100-plus innings for several seasons — but to do it at the big-league level, what did that show you about yourself?

A:

I feel baseball is the same everywhere you go. It’s about where you throw the ball, it’s not about how hard you throw. I always say that. So I just tried to go out there and compete. It’s a game that you come here every day, you learn and you don’t control results. You just try to throw the ball, execute pitches and (hope) things go the way they should go that day for you.

Q:

Were you surprised at how many innings you threw last year?

A:

Yeah, I was really surprised. When the season is getting over and you see on the board that you’re almost 80 innings, that is satisfactory for myself. That’s what I work for. And that’s why you go in the offseason to train and be healthy. That’s what I’ve been looking for this year again, to be healthy and try to help the team in whatever they need.

Q:

Joe Musgrove shouted you out last season, unprompted. He brought you up to the media and said you were the unsung hero of the pitching staff. What did that mean to you to hear that?

A:

He’s amazing. It’s amazing when a person like Joe says that.

That’s one of the guys I’ve been learning a lot from this this year and last year. He is really special. I love when he pitches and I try to learn about him every single day.

Q:

You have such a great personality. You always have a smile on your face, you’re very friendly, you’re always ready to go. Have you always been this way, very positive and enthusiastic?

A:

Yeah. Since I was little, I moved a lot, and in high school I was the same way. That’s my personality. I don’t try to change. I try to be me and try to have fun every single day I come to the ballpark. This is a blessing to be here.

Q:

Has your dad or your family been able to come watch you play a game in the majors?

A:

Yes, last year was the first time my dad and mom and brothers came and watched me. It was amazing. I’m excited they can come this year again. I’m waiting for that moment again.

Q:

What do you miss most about Colombia?

A:

Now I’m living in Miami, so the food, I’m not missing a lot. Before that, I was missing a lot of food. But most of the things that I miss from Colombia is my family. My brothers, my mom, my dad. Most of the time, really I have everything here. I have my wife here and my little girl.

Q:

What’s your favorite Colombian meal?

A:

I like Arabian food, like Marmahon — it’s like couscous with tomato sauce with chicken. And hojas de parra, stuffed grape leaves.

Q:

You had a beautiful baby girl in the offseason. How has fatherhood changed you?

A:

It’s amazing. I think that life is about that. I just go home now and I’m excited to see her and it’s amazing when you wake up and see her. I’m just anxious to when she keeps growing up and (can) talk to me.