Padres to Slow Play Jason Adam's Spring Training Return

Reliever recovering from ruptured quad tendon aims for opening day, but team will take cautious approach

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Jason Adam, a key reliever for the San Diego Padres, is on track to return by opening day after his 2025 season was cut short by a ruptured quad tendon. However, the Padres plan to take a cautious approach with his spring training progression, not wanting to rush him back and risk further injury. Manager Craig Stammen says the team will defer to the trainers and physical therapists on Adam's timeline, even if the competitive pitcher is eager to beat the recovery timeline.

Why it matters

Adam was an All-Star in 2025 and a vital part of the Padres' dominant bullpen. His absence down the stretch last season was felt, as the team had fewer high-leverage options to deploy. Getting Adam back healthy and effective for a full season in 2026 is crucial to the Padres' playoff aspirations.

The details

Adam has been throwing bullpen sessions since early December and says he feels better now than he did at this point last year, when he was tinkering with his delivery. However, the Padres want to take a cautious approach, not letting Adam rush back and risk re-injury. He still needs to clear hurdles like running and fielding practice before appearing in Cactus League games.

  • Adam suffered the ruptured quad tendon on September 1, 2025.
  • Adam has been throwing bullpen sessions since early December 2025.
  • Padres pitchers and catchers report for their first official spring training workout on February 12, 2026.

The players

Jason Adam

A reliever for the San Diego Padres who was an All-Star in 2025 before suffering a ruptured quad tendon that ended his season early.

Craig Stammen

The manager of the San Diego Padres.

A.J. Preller

The president of baseball operations for the San Diego Padres.

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What they’re saying

“In my mind, where I'm starting, I'm ready opening day.”

— Jason Adam, Padres Reliever

“We're going to take his progression the way the trainers prescribed it, the way the physical therapists have prescribed it. He has been throwing off the mound. We'll see how that continues to progress. We'll see how it continues to progress with him running and being active on his feet. … We're not putting a timeline on when he'll be ready.”

— Craig Stammen, Padres Manager

“I feel better pitching at this point than I did at this point last year. … I felt all out of sorts last year. This year, it's simple. We're just trying to pitch, and I feel a lot cleaner. And hopefully that'll translate.”

— Jason Adam, Padres Reliever

What’s next

The Padres will continue to monitor Adam's progress throughout spring training, with no definitive timeline for his return to game action. The team will defer to the medical staff's recommendations on when he is ready to face live hitters in Cactus League games.

The takeaway

The Padres are taking a cautious approach with Jason Adam's recovery, prioritizing his long-term health over rushing him back for opening day. This measured approach reflects the team's understanding of Adam's importance to their bullpen and playoff aspirations, as they aim to have him available and effective for the full 2026 season.