Padres Place Mason Miller On Paternity List

The Padres will not have their star closer available for tonight’s must-win Game 3. Major League Baseball announced they’ve approved Mason Miller’s placement on the paternity list. He’ll miss at least tonight’s game and can be away for a maximum of three days if the Padres extend the series.

Wandy Peralta has been activated to the roster as a temporary replacement. Peralta will be active for tonight’s game and could remain on the roster for Game 4 if Miller still isn’t available. Once Miller makes his return, Peralta will be deactivated for the remainder of the series.

Miller had a dominant season, leading the National League with 38 saves while turning in a 1.67 earned run average over 66 outings. He fanned almost half his opponents, comfortably leading baseball with a 47.4% strikeout rate. Miller tossed a scoreless frame with two strikeouts against the Cubs to complete a sweep in the Wild Card Series.

That made it all the more impressive that the Brewers were able to get to Miller on Sunday. San Diego called upon the big righty for a two-inning save. Miller entered holding a 3-2 lead and tossed a perfect eighth inning. He returned for the ninth with a chance to even the series but walked three of the first five batters he faced. Jackson Chourio laced Miller’s 40th pitch of the night into center field for a two-run, walk-off single that put the Padres on the brink of elimination.

Last night’s travel day and the must-win nature of today’s game meant Miller probably would’ve been available tonight despite the high pitch count. With he and his wife welcoming their first child (h/t to Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune), it’s likely that Adrian Morejon would be the top choice for a save situation. Of course, the game script could require Craig Stammen to turn to Morejon earlier in a leverage situation. Bradgley Rodriguez and Jason Adam could be other options for a save if the Padres use Morejon in the middle innings.

Peralta worked 77 1/3 innings of 3.61 ERA ball during the regular season, albeit with an unimpressive 15.6% strikeout rate. Traditionally a ground-ball specialist, Peralta had a career-low 45.6% grounder mark this season. He was scratched for the Wild Card Series as well. Morejon and Yuki Matsui are ahead of him as lefty relievers on the depth chart, and it’d be a surprise if Peralta gets any work unless the Padres win comfortably enough to preserve their leverage arms for Game 4.