Padres closer Mason Miller returns from paternity list

Star closer Mason Miller returned to the San Diego Padres active roster on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, ahead of Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park. Miller was activated from the postseason paternity list after his wife, Jordan, gave birth to their son, Lincoln, on Tuesday night during San Diego’s 4-3 victory in Game 3.

Padres Adjust Roster for Miller Paternity Leave

The Padres placed Miller on the paternity list just hours before Tuesday’s game, a move that required a temporary 26-man roster adjustment. Major League Baseball approved the addition of left-hander Wandy Peralta to take Miller’s place for Game 3. With Miller’s return for Wednesday’s elimination game, Peralta was removed from the active roster.

In Game 2, he was charged with a blown save after surrendering a walk-off two-run single to Jackson Chourio that lifted Milwaukee to a 4-3 win. When Jordan went into labor Tuesday afternoon, Miller remained at the hospital and declined to watch Game 3 on television, ESPN reported.

I said, ‘No, I can’t do that,’

Miller told ESPN regarding an offer to put the game on in the delivery room. Adrenaline was going pretty hard. Everything went really well, and then right when we got everybody settled, got Jordan in bed with the baby, they said, ‘The Padres won.’ It was pretty amazing.

Shoulder Fatigue Keeps Adrian Morejon Sidelined

While Miller stepped back into his bullpen role, the status of setup man Adrian Morejon remained uncertain as the team faced a 2-1 series deficit. Morejon dealt with left shoulder fatigue—described by manager Craig Stammen as “some stickiness”—which kept him sidelined during Game 3 despite being in the bullpen. Morejon recorded a 2.83 ERA over 86 innings and earned All-Star honors in 2025.

Stammen noted that Morejon played catch and threw off the mound on Tuesday, feeling slightly better postgame. The training staff planned to evaluate Morejon following his pregame routine on Wednesday before finalizing the pitching plan. Right-hander Walker Buehler is slated to start Game 4.

Michael King, who covered the final two innings of Game 3 on 40 pitches, stands ready if called upon again. Stammen emphasized to ESPN that We’re at that point in the season where it’s everybody, whatever they can give us, we’re going to use, Stammen said. There is no tomorrow if we don’t win tonight.