According to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, Padres reliever Jason Adam may undergo season-ending surgery if further MRI results confirm his initial diagnosis. There is hope he could return in time for the beginning of the 2026 season.
Manager Mike Shildt informed reporters, including Dennis Lin of The Athletic, that Adam has been diagnosed with a tendon rupture in his left quad. While Shildt did not provide a specific recovery timeline or confirm the necessity of surgery, the prospects of Adam returning this season increasingly appear bleak.
Adam suffered the injury while pitching during the team’s recent loss against the Orioles, an incident captured on video by Talkin’ Baseball. After Gunnar Henderson hit a chopper into the infield, Adam attempted to plant his foot and change direction to make a play. In the process, his left leg buckled, reminiscent of an injury sustained by Giants pitcher Landen Roupp, who was also carted off the field after a similar incident in San Diego two weeks prior. Unlike Roupp, who faced a significant bone bruise but avoided structural damage, Adam’s injury seems more serious.
Impact on the Team and Playoff Picture
This setback is particularly concerning for the Padres, who are currently 2.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West standings. The team holds the second Wild Card position in the National League, ahead of the closest non-playoff competitor by six games.
Adam’s Career and Performance
Jason Adam, who has had a diverse career as a depth reliever throughout his 20s, faced a severe left ankle fracture while with the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate in 2021. Remarkably, he returned to the mound just four months later and had a breakout season with the Rays the following year. In the last four years, he has been recognized as one of the most effective and reliable relievers in Major League Baseball.
Since the beginning of 2022, Adam has ranked sixth in the majors with 262 appearances and holds a commendable earned run average of 2.04, placing him fourth among relievers who have pitched over 100 innings within that timeframe. He also has accumulated 24 saves and is second in holds behind only Tyler Rogers and Bryan Abreu.
After joining the Padres from Tampa Bay at the 2024 trade deadline, Adam continued his strong performance, entering his latest appearance with a 1.81 ERA and a strikeout rate of 26%. He leads the Padres with 29 holds and 64 2/3 innings pitched in relief, while only closer Robert Suarez has averaged higher leverage appearances.
Future Considerations
Should Adam require surgery, the implications could be significant for the Padres moving forward. Though the organization retains arbitration control over him for one more season, he is expected to receive a salary increase from this year’s $4.8 million if the Padres tender him a contract. While this could be a cost-effective deal if he were healthy, the uncertainty regarding his injury could complicate matters. The Padres may also face a potential loss of closer Suarez due to an opt-out clause this offseason, adding further intricacies to their roster planning, particularly if they are considering giving Mason Miller a chance as a starting pitcher in the upcoming spring.
