San Diego Padres: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Will 2026 Be the Year Jackson Merrill Becomes a Superstar?

Jackson Merrill arrived in the big leagues and looked like a future star almost immediately. The former 27th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft was called up in March of 2024 and wasted no time announcing himself as one of baseball’s most exciting young talents.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Mason Miller to Confirmed Take Over as Padres Closer After Suarez’s Exit

The San Diego Padres’ bullpen enters the 2026 season with a new look in the ninth inning. Mason Miller steps into the closer’s role, formerly held by Robert Suarez, who left San Diego as a free agent this winter.

Fernando Tatis Jr. News / MLB on ClutchPoints / February 13

New Padres manager shares Fernando Tatis Jr. insight that won’t surprise fans

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Fernando Tatis Jr. has made the move from shortstop to the outfield without any trouble. In fact, he’s become a Platinum Glove defender.

Rob Manfred News / MLB on ClutchPoints / February 12

Rob Manfred gives encouraging update on pending Padres sale

The San Diego Padres are in the process of bringing in new ownership in the near future. Current owner, John Seidler, brother of former owner Peter Seidler, announced he will explore the sale of the team on November 13, 2025.

Justin Verlander News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Live-Ball Era strikeout leaders' quiz

How many of the 36 MLB pitchers with 2,500 or more strikeouts in the Live-Ball Era (since 1920) can you name in five minutes?

The 'Home run leaders by MLB team' quiz

The ''MLB: The Show' cover athletes' quiz

The 'Active 200-strikeout MLB seasons' quiz

Luis Arraez News / San Diego Padres on SI / February 12

Padres DH Position Looking Bleak After Sideways Free Agent Move

The San Diego Padres finally made a splash in what has been an understandably slow 2026 offseason considering the team's active sale. Despite the signing, the move came in the form of patchwork as opposed to addition. First base and DH option Luis Arraez departed for the bay on Jan.

MLB News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players who have the most to prove in 2026

The new MLB season brings opportunities as players head into their walk years and try to rebound from subpar performances. These 25 players stand out heading into 2026.

Should Red Sox trade for former All-Star infielder?

Mariners getting needed bat in All-Star Brendon Donovan via three-team deal with Cardinals, Rays

Giants CEO calls Dodgers a 'dragon to slay'

Yankees' latest endeavor points to a Jasson Dominguez mistake waiting to happen

Top of Phillies' rotation is elite, but also comes with questions

Freddy Fermin News / San Diego Padres on SI / February 12

Will Fermin Be the Backstop the Padres Need to Dominate the NL West?

After being traded from the Kansas City Royals midway through 2025, Freddy Fermin is gearing up for his first full season behind the plate for the brown and gold.

San Diego Padres News / Gaslamp Ball / February 12

Free agency targets remaining for San Diego

San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller has found himself in a bind year after year when it comes to starting pitching, and every year he has managed to eke his way out.

A.J. Preller News / MLB on ClutchPoints / February 12

AJ Preller sends clear message about Padres’ 2026 roster

With the San Diego Padres in rumors surrounding star players the team can still obtain, the ball club is no doubt looking to make some major noise in 2026.

San Diego Padres News / San Diego Padres on SI / February 12

Padres Pitcher Emerges as Favorite to Land Starting Rotation Spot

San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher Randy Vasquez has emerged as the favorite to land a spot in the starting rotation. The Padres rotation features three staples: Michael King, Joe Musgrove, and Nick Pivetta.

Ty France News / Gaslamp Ball / February 12

Padres need to ignore price tag and sign Ty France

Following the departures of Luis Arraez and Ryan O’Hearn in free agency, the San Diego Padres have an opening at the first base position. Gavin Sheets is the projected starter, but there is room for improvement.

Sung-Mun Song News / San Diego Padres on SI / February 11

Padres' $15 Million Offseason Addition Reveals Role for 2026 Season

San Diego Padres infielder Sung-Mun Song revealed his expected role for the 2026 season as spring training in Peoria, Ariz. gets underway. The former KBO Player of the Year spoke to reporters Wednesday and revealed he's been told by the team that he will cover third base, second base, first base, as well as some outfield.

MLB News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest pitching seasons from the modern MLB era

America's favorite pastime has more memorable performances than any sport. As such, figuring out which pitchers had the best seasons ever is no easy task.

San Diego Padres News / San Diego Padres on SI / February 11

Padres Reach Agreement with 16-Year-Old Phenom Who Could Change the Franchise’s Future

The San Diego Padres have reportedly reached a pre-agreement with Dominican prospect Yoel King, a 16-year-old flamethrower who is already touching triple digits.

San Diego Padres News / San Diego Padres on SI / February 11

Padres Expected to Sign Starting Pitcher on One Condition

The San Diego Padres are expected to sign a starting pitcher in the coming weeks — on one condition. According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres are in the market for a starter but only if the pitcher comes at the right price.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Active NBA All-Star leaders' quiz

The 'Super Bowl winning coaches' quiz

The 'Super Bowl winning QBs' quiz

The 'Super Bowl MVPs' quiz

San Diego Padres News / San Diego Padres on SI / February 11

Padres Lose Out on Cy Young Pitcher in Free Agency

The San Diego Padres lost out on signing three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander in free agency this offseason. The 42-year-old was frequently linked to the Padres throughout the winter, but ultimately signed with the Detroit Tigers on a one-year, $13 million deal.

San Diego Padres News / Gaslamp Ball / February 10

Padres look to small additions to step up in major way

The San Diego Padres still have a lot to determine as Spring Training kicks off with their game against the Seattle Mariners on Feb. 20. Among the 28 non-roster

San Diego Padres News / San Diego Padres on SI / February 10

Padres Manager Hints at Additional Offseason Signing

San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen hinted at the team making another offseason signing in his latest remarks. "Top to bottom, we've got a pretty good roster, a roster we feel can compete.

Nestor Cortes News / Total Pro Sports / February 10

What Happened To Nestor Cortes Jr.? Latest Update On The Former Yankees Star

Nestor Cortes Jr. was once a top pitcher in the MLB. Cortes’ stint with the New York Yankees was great in 2021 and 2022. The southpaw held an ERA below 3.00 in both years, but his decline started in 2023.

San Diego Padres News / Total Pro Sports / February 8

MLB Analyst Expects Padres Superstar To Be Top MVP Contender In 2026

Fernando Tatis Jr. re-established himself as one of the elite performers in the MLB following an outstanding 2025 campaign. It was the best season for the San Diego Padres since Tatis Jr.

Paul Goldschmidt News / Larry Brown Sports / February 6

Paul Goldschmidt is being linked to one team in free agency

Paul Goldschmidt might be pulling a reverse Juan Soto.

The 'MLB active home run leaders' quiz

San Diego Padres News / MLB Trade Rumors / February 4

Legal battle over Padres' ownership one step closer to resolution

The legal battle which has been hovering over the Padres for the past year-plus moved a bit closer to resolution this week. While it’s not over the finish line, it appears the club took one step toward closer and potentially being sold.

San Diego Padres News / New Baseball Media / February 4

Padres’ 2026 Spring Training Non-Roster Invites Include Salas, Haynes

The Padres announced which players will be going to Arizona in February as non-roster invites to 2026 big league Spring Training. It’s not a lengthy list, thanks to trades and the fact that many of San Diego’s better prospects are on the 40-man roster.

Yu Darvish News / Just Baseball / February 1

What Would Yu Darvish’s Retirement Mean for the Padres?

On January 24, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Yu Darvish was retiring. The report sparked immediate reaction across social media, prompting Darvish’s agent, Joel Wolfe, to refute the claim later that day.