Padres Lose Top Reliever to Injured List With Elbow Injury, Activate Jason Adam

San Diego activates veteran reliever Jason Adam off IL while placing Jeremiah Estrada on IL with elbow tendinitis.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:25am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's delivery broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the fractured nature of the Padres' bullpen situation.The Padres' bullpen depth will be tested as they navigate injuries to key relievers like Jeremiah Estrada.San Diego Today

The San Diego Padres have activated right-handed pitcher Jason Adam off the injured list, but have placed fellow reliever Jeremiah Estrada on the IL with right elbow tendinitis. Adam, 34, is returning from a ruptured left quadriceps tendon that he suffered last September, while Estrada has been dealing with decreased velocity all season.

Why it matters

The Padres' bullpen has been a strength for the team in recent years, so losing Estrada, one of their top relievers, to injury is a significant blow. Adam's return provides a boost, but the team will need to find a way to fill the void left by Estrada's absence as they look to contend in the NL West.

The details

The Padres activated Adam after he made four rehab appearances at Triple-A, pitching five scoreless innings. Adam, who last took the mound on September 1, 2025, said he feels ready to return and has no restrictions. Estrada, meanwhile, has been placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow tendinitis after his velocity has been down all season.

  • On April 11, 2026, the Padres reinstated RHP Jason Adam from the 15-day IL and placed RHP Jeremiah Estrada on the 15-day IL with right elbow tendonitis.
  • Adam last took an MLB mound on Sept. 1, 2025, when he exited in the seventh inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles after rupturing his left quadriceps tendon.

The players

Jason Adam

A 34-year-old right-handed pitcher for the San Diego Padres who is returning from a ruptured left quadriceps tendon injury.

Jeremiah Estrada

A right-handed pitcher for the San Diego Padres who has been placed on the injured list with right elbow tendinitis after dealing with decreased velocity all season.

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What they’re saying

“In my mind I'm ready to go, but I know that [pitching coach Ruben Niebla] and the whole team here is gonna do whatever they think is best for the team and the timing that they think is right for me and the team.”

— Jason Adam

“I feel like I'm moving well, no restrictions. Arm feels good, leg feels good. Had to cover first yesterday, so we got to check another box. So all good.”

— Jason Adam

What’s next

The Padres will need to find a way to fill the void left by Estrada's absence in the bullpen as they look to contend in the NL West. Adam's return provides a boost, but the team will need to monitor his progress as he returns from a significant injury.

The takeaway

This move highlights the importance of depth in a team's bullpen, as the Padres have lost one of their top relievers to injury while activating another who is returning from a major injury. The team's ability to navigate these types of roster moves could play a key role in their success this season.