PEORIA, Ariz. \u2014 Jason Adam retired all six batters he faced in his two Cactus League games in a total of 22 pitches.<\/p>\n
That included the three batters he set down in nine pitches in Monday\u2019s spring finale.<\/p>\n
Adam will not pitch again in a Padres uniform until at least April 6 in Pittsburgh, as he will begin the season on the injured list.\u00a0 This almost certainly opens a spot for both Ron Marinaccio and Bradgley Rodriguez to make the Padres\u2019 opening-day roster.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though it looks good, we\u2019ve got to be smart,\u201d Padres manager Craig Stammen said after the Padres beat the Mariners 10-3. \u201c\u2026 We\u2019ll see him sometime in April, most likely, if all things go the way they should go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam, who has the lowest ERA of any relief pitcher in the major leagues since joining the Padres at the trade deadline in 2024, underwent surgery to repair a ruptured quad tendon in September.<\/p>\n
Adam has been pitching to batters for weeks. But he was kept out of games until Friday to make certain that his leg would hold up when he was required to field a grounder or make other sudden moves. And the concern going forward is about his ability to get on the mound and be effective in successive games and several times a week without setback.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my mind, they have done right by me this whole process,\u201d he said over the weekend. \u201cSo I\u2019m going to trust whatever they decide. They only have my best interest and the team\u2019s best interest (in mind). I\u2019m hopeful for opening day. I\u2019ve been told it\u2019s not off the table. \u2026 It\u2019s not a yes, and it\u2019s not a no.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam\u2019s 15-day IL stint can be backdated to March 22, meaning he could return April 6, the day of the Padres\u2019 10th game.<\/p>\n
While he is out, Adrian Morej\u00f3n will likely serve as the Padres\u2019 setup man, working the eighth inning before closer Mason Miller.<\/p>\n
Strong finish<\/p>\n
Germ\u00e1n M\u00e1rquez ended a dreadful run by members of the starting rotation by allowing one run over 4\u2154 innings on Monday.<\/p>\n
He had already made the team as the fifth starter, but that was a nice way to finish the spring.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the better outings of the entire spring for anybody,\u201d Stammen said.<\/p>\n
M\u00e1rquez, signed at the start of spring to a one-year deal that guarantees him $1.75 million, allowed four runs over 9\u2154 innings in his final two starts.<\/p>\n
His outing Monday came after Walker Buehler allowed seven runs in 3\u2153 innings Sunday, Randy V\u00e1squez surrendered four runs in 5\u2153 innings Saturday, opening-day starter Nick Pivetta<\/a> gave up five runs (four earned) in four innings Friday and Michael King was hit for six runs in five innings Thursday. Each of the four surrendered at least two home runs, and they allowed 12 in all over the four-game stretch.<\/p>\n \u201cPart of that is maybe the environment that we\u2019re in and maybe looking forward to what\u2019s ahead,\u201d Stammen, who has repeatedly noted it is difficult to pitch in Arizona\u2019s thin air, said after Buehler\u2019s start. \u201cBut either way, we\u2019ve got to figure it out and get better by the time the season starts.\u201d<\/p>\n Pivetta was asked what his level of desire was to get out of Arizona, where there were five consecutive days of temperatures above 100 degrees from Tuesday through Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cAbout a 10,\u201d Pivetta said.<\/p>\n Song action<\/p>\n Sung-Mun Song went 0-for-1 with a walk in his first game since March 5.<\/p>\n Expected to be on the opening-day roster and serve as a backup at second base, third base and shortstop, Song has been plagued by a right oblique strain much of the spring. He will begin the season on the 10-day IL.<\/p>\n