Padres Decide to Activate Yuki Matsui After Rehab Assignment
The San Diego Padres have chosen to bring left-handed pitcher Yuki Matsui back to the active roster following the completion of his rehab assignment, manager Craig Stammen confirmed ahead of Monday’s game against the San Francisco Giants.
Matsui began the 2026 season on the injured list due to a groin strain suffered during spring training and has spent the past month working his way back in Triple-A. With his rehab assignment now finished—and no option to extend it—the Padres had to either activate him or risk losing him via waivers. Because he cannot be sent to the minors without approval, the team opted to add him to the roster.
A corresponding roster move has not yet been announced but will be required before Tuesday’s game. The most likely outcome is that another pitcher is either optioned to the minors or placed on the injured list.
Matsui, 30, signed a five-year, $28 million deal with San Diego prior to the 2024 season after a long career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. He has been a consistent bullpen presence for the Padres over the past two seasons, posting ERAs in the mid-to-high 3.00s while logging more than 60 appearances each year and notching his first MLB save in 2025.
During his rehab stint, Matsui made 11 appearances in Triple-A, recording 14 strikeouts over 12.2 innings but allowing seven runs, resulting in a 4.97 ERA.
As for the roster move, left-hander Kyle Hart appears to be the leading candidate to be sent down given his struggles this season, including a 5.51 ERA. In contrast, rookie right-hander Bradgley Rodriguez has performed well out of the bullpen and is less likely to be removed after emerging as a reliable option.
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