Padres reliever Jason Adam suffered a major injury Monday when he ruptured a tendon in his left quadriceps, forcing him off the field and potentially ending his season.
The incident occurred in the seventh inning of San Diego’s 4-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Adam, one of the team’s key All-Star relievers, said he still needs an MRI to confirm the severity. “But that sounds like six to nine months, so the season’s probably done,” he said.
Adam’s injury is a significant setback for the Padres as they chase the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. San Diego now trails the Dodgers by 2½ games and holds the second National League wild-card position.
This season, the Padres became the first Major League team to send three relievers to the All-Star Game, with Adam joining closer Robert Suarez and left-hander Adrián Morejón in the Midsummer Classic.
General manager A.J. Preller bolstered the bullpen at the trade deadline, acquiring hard-throwing Mason Miller from the Athletics. Miller, who was an All-Star in 2024, has been a key addition.
“I told A.J., I’m really glad you went out and got Mason,” Adam said while on crutches with his left leg in a large brace. “This bullpen’s so deep. Of all the bullpens in the league to not need me, it’s this one. I’m excited to cheer those guys on. It’s a family out there.”
The injury occurred as Adam tried to field a chopper hit by Gunnar Henderson. Adam collapsed and immediately signaled for an athletic trainer, clutching his left knee. He was helped onto a cart with his leg propped up. Adam described the moment: “I felt the pop right away, felt like the quad rolled up, so I kind of knew it wasn’t good. I was in pain at first, and then you kind of come to and you’re like, ‘Hey, did we get the out?’”
Adam explained that he felt the injury while planting his leg to retrieve the ball. “It kind of gave out and I fell,” he said.
Adam (8-4) took the loss in the game. He has appeared in 65 games this season with a 1.93 ERA. When Henderson’s hit put runners on first and second, Adam was replaced by Suarez. Suarez recorded the second out before allowing Dylan Beavers’ go-ahead single.
Teammates expressed their support for Adam. Mason Miller called the injury “really heartbreaking” and noted it was a rare and unfortunate incident. “It’s just his instincts taking over. In his absence, guys are going to have to step up, and we have players ready for that,” Miller said.
Starter Dylan Cease added, “He pitches almost every day. He’s been amazing. It’s terrible to see him go down like this.”
Padres manager Mike Shildt praised Adam as a “workhorse” and a clubhouse leader. “Jason has gotten huge outs for us. We’ve got a great clubhouse, and he’s a well-respected guy. We’ll miss him, and we’ll have to figure it out,” Shildt said.
With Adam sidelined, the Padres will need other relievers to fill his role during a crucial stretch of the season. His absence tests the depth of a bullpen that has been one of the strongest in the league this year.
The team now looks to maintain momentum while supporting Adam through his recovery. The Padres remain in contention but face a significant challenge without one of their most reliable pitchers.
