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Padres Closer Miller Placed on Paternity List Ahead of Game 3
Confirmed
In Short: Padres closer Mason Miller was placed on the paternity list ahead of Game 3 of the NLDS against the Brewers.
Padres closer Mason Miller was placed on the paternity list ahead of Game 3 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Milwaukee Brewers, just 45 minutes before the game's start.
Miller's wife, Jordan, went into labor on Tuesday afternoon, prompting the Padres to place him on the paternity list.
Left-hander Wandy Peralta took Miller's place on the NLDS roster, with Miller allowed to be away from the team for one to three days under MLB’s postseason paternity rules.
Miller, the lockdown closer at the back end of the San Diego bullpen, had posted a 1.67 ERA across 66 appearances during the regular season, though he blew the save in Game 2 in Milwaukee on Sunday.
The Padres' bullpen, which has been one of the best in baseball this season, now faces a significant challenge without Miller. Adrian Morejon and Yuki Matsui are the only two serious lefty relief options, with Morejon presumably sliding into the closer role.
Manager Craig Stammen said, “We're thinking about him,” referring to Miller, who might be available for Game 4 on Wednesday if the Padres manage to keep their season alive.
Fernando Tatis Jr. expressed support for Miller, saying, “He's been with us. He's been impressive. Let him have his family time right now.”
The Padres need to win Game 3 to ensure a Game 4, and if Miller isn't back for Game 4, he would rejoin the roster for a potential Game 5 on Friday.
What this adds
The timing of Miller's absence is particularly challenging for the Padres, who are already facing elimination in the series.
The Padres' bullpen is expected to handle Miller's absence, but the team's season is on the line, making the loss of their top bullpen weapon a significant blow.
Background
Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a first-pitch home run to set the tone for the San Diego Padres' 8-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series.
What's confirmed
- Miller’s wife, Jordan, went into labor on Tuesday afternoon, the Padres said.
- Left-hander Wandy Peralta took Miller’s place on the NLDS roster.
- Miller is the lockdown closer at the back end of the San Diego bullpen, which has been one of the best in baseball this season.
- He’d posted a 1.67 ERA across 66 appearances during the regular season — though he blew the save in Game 2 in Milwaukee on Sunday, allowing… A fan?
- Padres closer Mason Miller was placed on the paternity list on Tuesday ahead of Game 3 of the National League Division Series against Milwaukee.
What's still developing
- Fried is slated to pitch a crucial Game 3 with his girlfriend due any day, but he publicly confirmed he isn't skipping his start for anything.
- Seeing Fried post up for his team while Miller sits out an elimination game brought the debate over playoff priorities right to the forefront.
- Buehler, however, wasn't scheduled to start that game in Milwaukee, so it didn't cost them.
- More news: Padres-Brewers NLDS Game Ends in Controversy After Fly Ball Hits Roof Miller will be allowed to be away from the team for a minimum of one day and a maximum of three days.
- The Brewers won the first two games of the series in Milwaukee, and can eliminate the Padres with a win at Petco Park.
- Amazingly, the Padres placed starting pitcher Walker Buehler on the paternity list immediately prior to Game 1 of the series on Saturday.
- He was tasked with holding a 3-2 lead in Game 2 of the series Sunday in Milwaukee, but became the losing pitcher when Milwaukee rallied in the ninth inning.
- More news: Padres Rookie on Brink of 123-Year MLB Postseason History After failing to score in the eighth inning, the Brewers loaded the bases against Miller in the ninth.
- Buehler, who has nearly 100 innings of postseason experience to his name, was a candidate to start Game 1 of the NLDS for the Padres, but with the veteran right-hander unavailable, San Diego instead had to turn to southpaw Robbie Ray.
- Ace Chris Sale finally took the mound for his first NLDS start, this time on full rest, but he and the Braves were unable to hold their own against Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto and instead now face elimination in Game 4 on Wednesday.
- In the nightcap, the Milwaukee Brewers were looking to take down the San Diego Padres for good in a sweep that would send Jackson Merrill and crew to the NLCS.
- With the Padres' season on the line, King notched a six-out save that required of him 40 tense, high-stress pitches.