The Padres will not have their star closer available for tonight’s must-win Game 3. Major League Baseball announced that they have approved Mason Miller’s placement on the paternity list. He will miss at least tonight’s game and could be out for up to three days if the Padres extend the series. Wandy Peralta has been activated to the roster as a temporary replacement. Peralta will be active for tonight’s game and could remain on the roster for Game 4 if Miller is still unavailable. Once Miller returns, Peralta will be deactivated for the rest of the series. Miller had a dominant season, leading the National League with 38 saves and posting a 1.67 ERA in 66 starts. He fanned nearly half of his opponents, comfortably leading baseball with a 47.4% strikeout rate. Miller pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts against the Cubs to complete a sweep of the Wild Card Series. That made it even more impressive that the Brewers were able to get Miller on Sunday. San Diego turned to the big right-hander for a two-inning save. Miller came in with a 3-2 lead and pitched a perfect eighth inning. He returned for the ninth with a chance to tie the series, but walked three of the first five batters he faced. Jackson Chourio hit Miller’s 40th pitch of the night into center field for a two-run single that put the Padres on the brink of elimination. Last night’s travel day and the must-win nature of today’s game meant Miller likely would have been available tonight despite the high pitch count. As he and his wife welcome their first child (thanks to Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune), Adrián Morejón is likely the best option for a saving situation. Of course, the game script could call for Craig Stammen to turn to Morejon early in a leverage situation. Bradgley Rodríguez and Jason Adam could be other save options if the Padres use Morejón in the middle innings. Peralta worked 77 1/3 innings with a 3.61 ERA during the regular season, albeit with an unimpressive 15.6% strikeout rate. Traditionally a ground ball specialist, Peralta had a career-low 45.6% ground ball mark this season. He was also eliminated for the Wild Card Series. Morejón and Yuki Matsui are ahead of him as left-handed relievers on the depth chart, and it would be a surprise if Peralta gets a job unless the Padres win comfortably enough to preserve their influential arms for Game 4.
