Padres Stunned by Angels as $3.9 Billion Sale Nears Completion

Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove still hasn't made progress in his return, while closer Mason Miller continues his historic start to the season.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 1:09pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or action, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the Padres and Angels uniforms, conveying the energy and tension of the matchup.The Padres' loss to the Angels exposes the team's need for a healthy Joe Musgrove as they pursue a potential new era under new ownership.San Diego Today

The San Diego Padres were shut out 8-0 by the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, snapping an eight-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Padres are nearing the completion of a record-breaking $3.9 billion sale to a group led by the co-founder of Clearlake Capital. Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove is still working to return from an elbow issue, while closer Mason Miller has put together a historically dominant start to the 2026 season.

Why it matters

The potential $3.9 billion sale of the Padres would shatter the previous MLB record of $2.42 billion, set when the New York Mets were sold in 2020. This sale could signal a new era for the franchise and its future in San Diego. Meanwhile, the Padres' struggles without Musgrove and the continued excellence of Miller have major implications for the team's playoff hopes this season.

The details

In the loss to the Angels, Padres starter Matt Waldron allowed six earned runs over 3.2 innings. Angels right-hander Jose Soriano struck out eight batters over 5.2 innings of two-hit ball. Padres manager Craig Stammen provided an update on Musgrove's recovery, saying the right-hander still hasn't progressed to throwing off the mound. Closer Mason Miller, meanwhile, has put together a historically dominant start to the season, with six saves, 23 strikeouts, and a 0.00 ERA.

  • The Padres were blanked by the Angels on Friday, April 18, 2026.
  • The reported $3.9 billion sale of the Padres is nearing completion.

The players

Matt Waldron

A Padres right-hander who made his first start of the 2026 season, allowing six earned runs in 3.2 innings.

Jose Soriano

The Angels right-hander who struck out eight batters over 5.2 innings of two-hit ball against the Padres.

Craig Stammen

The Padres manager who provided an update on Joe Musgrove's recovery.

Joe Musgrove

The Padres right-hander who is still working to return from an elbow issue.

Mason Miller

The Padres closer who has put together a historically dominant start to the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“Joe is still working through his elbow and that progression, all that kind of stuff. He's not ready to throw off the mound yet. He's been throwing, just trying to be very smart and not overdo it and take it too fast.”

— Craig Stammen, Padres Manager

“I think success is a little bit of a snowball in this game, as are struggles as well. That's why we talk about streaky players a lot of the time. It's part of what makes guys great, is their ability to be consistent. Coming into this year, I usually feel really confident coming out of the gates. I feel like my offseason training and spring training put me in an awesome place to succeed early in the season. I think my numbers in April are usually really, really good. But knowing that it's a whole year, too, I try to keep both my eyes forward.”

— Mason Miller, Padres Closer

What’s next

The Padres will look to bounce back on Saturday as they continue their three-game series against the Angels.

The takeaway

The potential $3.9 billion sale of the Padres would be a game-changing moment for the franchise, while the team's struggles without Musgrove and the continued excellence of closer Mason Miller will be crucial storylines to follow as the Padres chase a playoff spot this season.