Credit: AP Photo
What role will Jason Adam play for the San Diego Padres in 2026?
In 2025, Jason Adam established himself once again as a premier bullpen piece.
He did this as the eighth-inning setup man for one of the best closers in baseball, Robert Suarez.
With Suarez exercising his player option, how does Adam factor into a stacked Padres’ bullpen for 2026?
Well, first off, it is helpful to address the elephant in the room: the injury. After posting an ERA of 1.93 across 65.1 innings pitched, Adam made his first-ever MLB All-Star appearance and seemed primed to help propel the Padres on their upcoming postseason run. Then, in September, he exited the Padres game against the Orioles on a cart with what was later diagnosed as a ruptured quad tendon.
Initially and ordinarily, this would set Adam back six to nine months, pitting him for at best a March or April return. At worst, potentially a mid-season return, possibly around June. Recent indications are that Adam expects to be back for the season’s start. Jeff Sanders of the Union-Tribune reported that Adam sees himself potentially back in the mix of things for spring training. That could translate to a smooth start to the season. Many Padres fans, however, would happily trade a month or two of missing Adam if it meant he returned in June fully healthy and at a lower risk of reinjury. The last thing the Friars should do is rush Jason Adam back.
So, while the Padres may have Adam back by the season’s start, it begs another question: what to do with him?
With Robert Suarez likely gone, the closer role is open; however, reliever Mason Miller is looking unhittable. He is all but guaranteed to slide into the closer position, should San Diego decide not to stretch the right-handed pitcher out as a starter.
Should Miller be stretched out as a starting pitcher, perhaps lefty Adrian Morejon could be the man for the closing job.
Morejon, who posted a 2.08 ERA with a 0.90 WHIP in 2025, not only made a huge leap but was also used in extra innings effectively in a closer role. Morejon, who made his first MLB All-Star Game in 2025, could fit in nicely as the closer, and Adam could potentially be used as a set-up man to Morejon in 2026. Another option is to utilize Jason Adam as the 7th inning man, and slide Jeremiah Estrada in at the 8th, or vice versa.
In 2024, Adam worked nicely to form a three-inning assault on hitters, combining with Tanner Scott and Robert Suarez to work the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings, respectively. While Adam looked great in this role, it might make more sense to have him as the 8th inning setup man, and slide Estrada in the 7th or earlier. Estrada, although still a strikeout merchant at times, looked to have taken a step backwards in 2025, the longer the season went on, posting a nearly six ERA in September.
Ultimately, San Diego may have to play around with it a little, but Jason Adam will undoubtedly play a large role in the bullpen formation this offseason and into next season.
Billy has spent a majority of his life following San Diego sports and worked in San Diego for many years. Now residing in Newport Beach he recently obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from Chapman University and now works as an Attorney. Billy enjoys supporting the Padres and SDFC from Orange County and making the drive down for big games. He is passionate about analytics and writing about sports.
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