PEORIA, Ariz. \u2014 Padres reliever Yuki Mastui\u2019s participation in the World Baseball Classic is in doubt after he experienced \u201ctightness\u201d in his groin on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to see how he comes out of this day off and then how he feels tomorrow and then what his schedule looks like going forward,\u201d Padres manager Craig Stammen said. \u201cObviously, I think it puts the WBC in question.\u201d<\/p>\n
While saying it would be left to Matsui to decide whether to play in the tournament that begins March 6, Stammen indicated the odds are against the left-hander being a part of Samurai Japan.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has got to make that decision,\u201d Stammen said. \u201cHe has got to be able to talk with the coaches and the (general manager of Team Japan) and see if that\u2019s still an option for him. It\u2019s going to be a tough road for him to get healthy enough to be ready to pitch in the WBC. But I\u2019ll let him address that. \u2026 We\u2019ve had internal conversations about it. Ultimately, it\u2019s up to him. We can\u2019t call Team Japan and say, \u2018Hey, Yuki is not pitching.\u2019 Yuki has to make that decision, and I think he\u2019ll come to a pretty good decision on that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matsui\u2019s live batting practice session was cut short Thursday after about 20 pitches. He appeared to be walking without much noticeable impediment Friday morning, and Stammen said Matsui could play catch as soon as Saturday.<\/p>\n
However, his scheduled appearance in Sunday\u2019s game against the Dodgers has been scratched. He was scheduled to pitch at least one more time before leaving for Japan next weekend.<\/p>\n
Adam\u2019s progress<\/p>\n
Jason Adam fielded grounders earlier this week, but only while remaining stationary. He recently began change-of-direction drills. On Thursday, physical therapist Scott Hacker and strength and conditioning coach Jay Young introduced \u201cmild reactive\u201d components to Adam\u2019s running program to simulate game situations.<\/p>\n
That sort of agility work will likely continue for a couple of weeks. If all goes well, Adam can then work his way into a full fielding practice before pitching in backfield games and then appearing in Cactus League games.<\/p>\n
The final stages of his recovery from September\u2019s quad rupture might seem like plodding progress, but Adam remains on track to potentially be ready for the start of the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they\u2019re on board,\u201d Adam said of the medical staff. \u201cThey haven\u2019t told me \u2018no\u2019 yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam has been throwing bullpens since early December and has said he is further along in his throwing program<\/a> and feels better pitching than he did last year at this time.<\/p>\n \u201cPitching-wise, we\u2019re \u2026 on pace, beyond on pace,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s just a matter of being cleared. So once that happens, it\u2019s, \u2018Let\u2019s roll.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Adam, whose 1.66 ERA over 92 innings is best in MLB among qualifying relievers since he made his Padres debut on July 31, 2024, weill wear a small brace on his left leg while pitching this season.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing too cumbersome,\u201d he said. \u201cJust something to give everyone a little peace of mind, I think. And me. I feel confident with or without, but it doesn\u2019t hurt to have a little extra support.\u201d<\/p>\n Song soon<\/p>\n The Padres\u2019 first lineup of the spring featured five everyday players, two projected regulars and another guy with a legitimate shot to be on the big-league roster on opening day.<\/p>\n Craig Stammen\u2019s first Padres lineup. \ud83d\udc40
via @Padres<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LTE9BjrpNZ<\/a><\/p>\n