Padres lose biggest bullpen weapon to paternity list ahead of NLDS Game 3 matchup with Brewers

The San Diego Padres have already been impacted by the paternity list during the 2026 National League Division Series. Veteran starter Walker Buehler was away from the team for the first two games of the NLDS due to a stint on the paternity list. Buehler, who has nearly 100 innings of postseason experience to his name, was a candidate to start Game 1 of the NLDS for the Padres, but with the veteran right-hander unavailable, San Diego instead had to turn to southpaw Robbie Ray.

While Buehler officially returned to the roster on yesterday, the paternity test is once again impacting the Padres, and this time it's an even more significant hit to San Diego's NLDS roster. As announced on X by the official MLB Communications account just moments ago, All-Star closer Mason Miller has been placed on the paternity list and therefore won't be available for Game 3 tonight.

Padres' closer Mason Miller won't be available for Game 3 after placement on paternity list

It's a huge loss for the Padres. Yes, Miller lost his command in the ninth inning of Game 2 before allowing a crushing walk-off single to Jackson Chourio, but that doesn't change the fact that the flame-throwing right-hander is the most dominant closer in the game and the biggest weapon in Craig Stammen's bullpen. Miller did throw 40 pitches on Sunday afternoon, but with the off-day on Monday and the fact that it's the postseason, the 28-year-old closer almost certainly would have been available in a save situation tonight.

Now, the bullpen calculus changes completely for Stammen and the Padres. Game 3 starter Nick Pivetta missed much of the regular season with an elbow injury and has yet to eclipse 87 pitches since returning from the IL in early September, suggesting that the Padres are expecting to lean heavily on their bullpen tonight. However, without Miller, the math certainly changes. Between Adrian Morejon, Jason Adam, Bragdley Rodriguez, and Yuki Matsui, the Padres certainly have the necessary arms to cover a short start from Pivetta, but relievers may be throwing in situations they aren't used to. Regardless, the Brewers won't have to face the dominant Miller in the late innings of Game 3.

It's not yet determined whether or not Miller would be available for a potential Game 4 on Wednesday night, but the Brewers are hoping his availability doesn't matter. Milwaukee is looking to end the Padres' season tonight, and their path to doing so just became much easier with Miller not in San Diego's bullpen for Game 3.

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