Bradgley Rodriguez keeps giving the Padres reasons to trust him in the biggest spots, and Friday night in Cleveland was the clearest example yet.
With San Diego riding a strong stretch since the trade deadline, the bullpen again did the heavy lifting in a 6-0 run that included a win over the Guardians on Friday before Saturday’s loss. The relief corps has been the club’s backbone all season, and the front office built it that way, stocking the roster with multiple late-inning options.
Rodriguez, a 22-year-old right-hander, handled the ninth inning against Cleveland for his first career save. He worked a scoreless frame, gave up one hit and struck out two, and he did it while keeping Mason Miller and Adrian Morejon fresh for another day.
That outing drew a strong reaction from manager Craig Stammen, who didn’t hold back in his assessment.
“What we’re seeing is foreshadowing what he’ll probably be throughout his career,” Stammen said. “He’s one of the best relievers in baseball, and he proved it again tonight being able to pitch the ninth.
“Even giving up a leadoff double, for a rookie on the road, and to just go get 1-2-3 right after that was pretty big.”
Rodriguez has already logged 51 appearances this season, and the numbers back up the praise. He owns a 2.09 ERA with 59 strikeouts in 56 innings.
For Rodriguez, the lesson has come from being in a bullpen full of experienced arms. He said the veterans around him have helped him understand the mindset required for the ninth inning.
“What I’ve learned from these veterans is there is a sense of calmness you need when you’re going out there for that last inning,” Rodriguez said. “You don’t have all that anxiety. To me, it’s about having that calmness to the best of my ability to get guys out.”
Miller, who got a rare night off in a save situation, was just as upbeat about what Rodriguez is becoming.
“He’s 22, so young, and he’s so confident," Miller said. "You can talk about his future, but I’m excited about it right now. I’m happy for him.”
Michael King echoed that sentiment, pointing to the growth he’s seen.
“You could definitely see how good his stuff was last year, and the more confidence he’s gotten, the more success he’s had. ... You just know he’s going to be successful.”
In Other News...
Freddy Fermin Is Giving Padres A Timely Boost At Catcher
Freddy Fermins first half at the plate gave the Padres little reason to think of catcher as a hidden source of offense. He entered July batting .148, and the monthly line before that had been just as rough, leaving his season numbers buried even as San Diego continued trying to steady itself for a postseason run.
But Fermin has started to change the conversation in a hurry. He hit .292 in July and opened August with another strong stretch, a timely burst that has given the Padres a more useful look behind the plate and a little more confidence that the position can contribute when it matters most. [Read more 🡒]
Padres Suddenly Face A Bigger Concern After Streak-Snapping Loss
The six-game run is over, and the way it ended has the Padres looking for a quick reset. Cleveland handed them a 6-1 loss, and San Diego spent most of the afternoon chasing Joey Cantillo, who leaned heavily on breaking balls and kept the lineup uncomfortable from the start. The Padres never found much rhythm offensively, which made a routine stumble feel a little more jarring after the momentum they had built.
Craig Stammens message afterward was straightforward: move on and get ready for the next game. For a team that had been rolling, the bigger issue now is how quickly it can put this one behind it and avoid letting one flat showing linger into the rest of the series. The loss ended the streak, but the response over the next day will say more about where this club really stands. [Read more 🡒]
Padres Bring Back A Familiar Arm For Late-Season Bullpen Depth
The Padres have turned to a familiar name for some late-season bullpen insurance, signing veteran right-hander Brent Honeywell Jr. to a minor league contract. Honeywell, who last appeared in an official game during the 2024 World Series with the Dodgers, gives San Diego a look at a pitcher with a long track record of working multiple innings and taking on lower-leverage duties when needed.
For a club always trying to find useful arms without overtaxing the bullpen, the appeal is pretty clear. Honeywell brings experience, a willingness to fill a variety of roles and, at the center of it all, the screwball that has followed him throughout his career. The Padres are giving him a chance to show that pitch still has enough life to matter as they search for depth down the stretch. [Read more 🡒]