All-Star closer Mason Miller returned to San Diego Padresbullpen Wednesday night after missing a playoff game on the paternity list.
Miller was back in the Padres’ lineup for Game 4 of the NL Division Series against Milwaukee, and he joined his teammates for warmups on the field three hours before first pitch. Miller said his wife, Jordan, gave birth to their son Tuesday night during the Padres’ Game 3 win over Milwaukee.
“I was very happy to be there,” Miller said.
The Padres are also hopeful for that top prospect Adrian Morejon will be available for Game 4 after he was ruled out of Game 3 with shoulder discomfort, manager Craig Stammen said.
San Diego is facing elimination for the second straight night at Petco Park vs Brewerieswho lead the best-of-five series 2-1. Walker Buehler is starting Game 4 for the Padres after missing the first two games of this series on paternity list.
The Padres ejected Miller about 45 minutes before the first pitch of Game 3, but San Diego posted a 4-3 win with 4 2/3 innings of tough relief in one run from the four pitchers behind the starter. Nick Pivetta. Game player 2 Michael King stepped up to bowl the last two overs on an off day, earning his first save since 2023.
Instead of worrying about the Padres, Miller was so locked in at the hospital that he declined an offer to turn on the TV in the delivery room.
“I said, ‘No, I can’t do that,'” Miller said with a smile. “The adrenaline was going really hard. Everything went really well, and then when we all calmed down, we got Jordan to bed with the baby, they said, “The Padres won.” It was pretty amazing.”
Miller was an elite closer throughout his first full season with the Padres, racking up 38 saves in 41 opportunities with a 0.90 WHIP and 129 strikeouts in just 70 innings — but he blew a six-save effort in Game 2 of the NLDS in Milwaukee.
Miller walked the bases loaded before surrendering Jackson Chourio’s two-out, two-run, two-run single to end the Brewers’ 4-3 victory on Miller’s 40th pitch. Both teams dismissed widespread speculation after the game that Miller had left his home turf.
Miller had hoped his son would be born on an off day, but he emerged from his absence from baseball with a new perspective.
(Photo by KC Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
“Obviously, Game 2 (was) not what I had hoped for or planned for,” Miller said. “Going from that feeling, kind of feeling like you’re not contributing much, to now being a dad and wanting to be there for my wife, I think it’s moments like that that give you perspective (on) what’s important, that keep you determined to go out and do the best you can every day.
The Padres have relied on Miller and his 104 mph fastball all season while winning 91 games and clinching the first wild card spot in the NL. Miller earned the save in San Diego’s impressive win over the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card Series last week.
Morejon’s absence also hurt the Padres’ bullpen after he developed “stickiness” in his shoulder earlier in the series, prompting the club to decide he should not attempt to play in Game 3. The Padres will evaluate Morejon before Game 4 to see if he feels well enough to play.
“He was feeling a little better after the game last night,” Stammen said Wednesday. “So we’re hoping today that he’ll be available.”
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The Padres are hoping for a strong start from Buehler, who hasn’t pitched since Sept. 26. Twice World Series champion has a career 3.04 ERA over 19 postseason appearances — and in his most recent playoff appearance, he pitched the save in the Dodgers’ 2024 championship victory over the Yankees.
Stammen said the Padres were fully supportive of Buehler and Miller with their growing families.
“Everybody has a different situation, a different way of looking at it, a different expectation,” Stammen said. “There are always health implications that go with it, and the No. 1 thing is you want a healthy baby and you want mom and dad to enjoy it. I think we’ve been able to achieve that with the two births we’ve had here in October.”
Stammen even maintained that King is also available to pitch in Game 4, even after going 14 innings with two starts in the Padres’ first five playoff games.
Reporting by the Associated Press.
