Padres Bullpen Bolstered by Adam's Imminent Return

Veteran reliever Jason Adam nears activation as Padres also get Griffin Canning, Matt Waldron closer to MLB action

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:53pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the Padres' team colors of navy blue, sand, and orange.The Padres' pitching staff gets a geometric, cubist makeover as key arms like Jason Adam, Griffin Canning, and Matt Waldron near returns.San Diego Today

The San Diego Padres are set to welcome back veteran right-handed reliever Jason Adam from the injured list, providing a major boost to their bullpen. Adam, who has posted a 1.66 ERA and 2.89 FIP since joining the Padres in 2022, is nearing the end of his rehab assignment and could be activated as soon as April 8. Additionally, the team is getting closer to having starting pitching depth options Griffin Canning and Matt Waldron ready to contribute at the major league level.

Why it matters

The Padres' bullpen has been solid despite Adam's absence, but his return will add an experienced, high-performing arm to the late-inning mix. Meanwhile, the potential additions of Canning and Waldron provide insurance and competition for the back end of the starting rotation, which has struggled early in the season.

The details

Adam, who underwent quadriceps surgery last year, has been rehabbing with Triple-A El Paso and could be activated as soon as April 8 when first eligible. Canning, who signed a $2.5 million deal with the Padres in the offseason, is also working his way back from an Achilles injury and has looked sharp in his rehab starts so far. Waldron, a knuckleballer, has been impressive in his own rehab work and could be an option to join the Padres' rotation if needed.

  • Jason Adam could be activated as soon as April 8.
  • Griffin Canning is building up his pitch count in rehab starts.
  • Matt Waldron has made two rehab starts and is nearing a return.

The players

Jason Adam

A veteran right-handed reliever for the Padres who has posted a 1.66 ERA and 2.89 FIP since joining the team in 2022.

Griffin Canning

A right-handed starting pitcher who signed a $2.5 million deal with the Padres in the offseason and is working his way back from an Achilles injury.

Matt Waldron

A 29-year-old knuckleballer who has a 4.86 career ERA in the majors and is an option to join the Padres' rotation.

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What they’re saying

“Adam could be activated when he's first eligible to come off the shelf on April 8, but that it's also possible that the club will wait until April 9, when they'll be back in San Diego for a series against the Rockies.”

— Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune reporter

What’s next

The Padres will continue to monitor Adam's progress and determine the best time to activate him, likely either April 8 or April 9. Canning and Waldron will also continue their rehab assignments with the goal of joining the major league roster in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The Padres' bullpen and rotation depth are set to receive a significant boost with the impending returns of Jason Adam, Griffin Canning, and Matt Waldron. These reinforcements will provide stability and options for a Padres team looking to solidify its pitching staff early in the season.