The San Diego Padres' bullpen took a huge hit on Monday night when reliever Jason Adam was carted off the field during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles.
Adam attempted to field a ball hit on the infield and his left knee appeared to collapse underneath him. After the game, Padres' manager Mike Shildt told reporters Adam was diagnosed with a ruptured quad tendon, and will miss the rest of the season.
The Padres' reliever was having an incredible season, earning his first trip to the All-Star game. Adam had pitched to a 1.93 ERA across 65.1 innings, with 70 strikeouts.
Shildt, Mason Miller React to Adam's Injury
Adam's injury is a huge blow to the Padres' excellent bullpen, and San Diego will now have to lean on other guys more down the stretch.
"We’re going to miss him," Shildt said (h/t The Athletic). "We’ll have to figure it out."
Luckily for the Padres, their bullpen is loaded. Adam's stellar 1.93 ERA ranked third on the team behind Mason Miller (1.64) and Adrian Morejon (1.85). That doesn't even account for Robert Suarez (2.95) and Jeremiah Estrada (3.05).
"Obviously, it sucks losing him, not only for what he does on the mound, but also just the type of person he is," Miller said (h/t The Athletic). "He’s a phenomenal teammate, and I’m sure he’s going to continue to be that. But in his absence, guys are going to need to step up and fill that role."
Padres all-star reliever Jason Adam had to be carted off the field after he collapsed with an apparent left leg injury
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 2, 2025
Hope he is ok🙏 pic.twitter.com/yn4Oo2J9X5
Miller will be one of the main guys leaned on to fill that role. The Padres' traded for the Oakland Athletics' closer at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, and he's been lights out.
The Padres' bullpen was already deep, but Miller's addition at the deadline made it easily the best group in the MLB.
"I told (Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller) I’m really glad he went out and got Mason," Adam said (h/t The Athletic). "This bullpen’s so deep. Of all the bullpens in the league to not need me, it’s this one. So, I’m excited to cheer those guys on."
Adam will still be missed in the Padres' bullpen, but San Diego has the arms to make up for the reliever's absence.
The Padres' are 2.5 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, and have a two game cushion in the NL wild card race. San Diego will need other guys to continue to pitch lights out and step up in Adam's absence to make its final postseason push.