Padres closer Mason Miller put on paternity leave before NLDS Game 3
In short
San Diego said closer Mason Miller was placed on the paternity leave list before Game 3 of the National League Division Series against Milwaukee at Petco Park on Oct 7. Miller, who went 5-2 with 38 saves and a 1.67 ERA this season, tied for the National League lead in saves and took the loss in Game 2. San Diego added reliever Wandy Peralta to the roster in his place.
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San Diego placed closer Mason Miller on the paternity leave list ahead of Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park on Oct 7, the team announced. Yonhap reported the move on the morning of the game, and Chosun Ilbo, Newsis and Dong-A Ilbo carried the same announcement. The Padres also added reliever Wandi Peralta to the roster. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Miller was San Diego's leading reliever this season. According to the documents, he pitched in 66 games, going 5-2 with 38 saves and a 1.67 ERA, and tied for first in the National League in saves. Yonhap described him as the core of the Padres bullpen. [ 1 , 4 ]
His last outing went badly. In Game 2 on Oct 5, played in Milwaukee, Miller came on in the eighth inning and took the loss after giving up a go-ahead hit with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, according to Yonhap. Dong-A Ilbo reported the hit was a walk-off by Jackson Chourio with the bases loaded. [ 1 , 4 ]
Chosun Ilbo reported that Miller will sit out Game 3 and could be absent for as long as three days if the series continues. Dong-A Ilbo reported he could return as early as Game 4 on Oct 8. The documents describe San Diego as on the brink of elimination in the series, though the available text does not state the series score. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Yonhap reported that filling Miller's absence is not expected to be easy, with Peralta taking his roster spot. The documents do not say who would close in his place. The Korean outlets framed the news as a further problem for a team already under pressure in the postseason. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
Miller was San Diego's primary closer in a postseason series the documents describe as leaving the team on the brink of elimination, so his absence affects how the Padres manage the late innings. The story is being carried by Korea's main national outlets because of the MLB postseason's following in the country. The documents give no basis for effects beyond the series itself.
Key facts
- San Diego announced Mason Miller was placed on the paternity leave list ahead of Game 3 of the NLDS against Milwaukee at Petco Park. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The game is Game 3 of the National League Division Series, a best-of-five series. [ 1 , 4 ]
- Miller went 5-2 with 38 saves and a 1.67 ERA in 66 appearances this season and tied for the National League lead in saves. [ 1 , 4 ]
- In Game 2 on Oct 5, Miller entered in the eighth inning and took the loss after allowing a go-ahead hit with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. [ 1 , 4 ]
- Dong-A Ilbo reported the Game 2 hit was a walk-off by Jackson Chourio with the bases loaded. [ 4 ]
- San Diego added reliever Wandi Peralta to the roster in Miller's place. [ 1 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reported Miller will miss Game 3 and could be away up to three days if the series continues; Dong-A Ilbo reported he could return as early as Game 4 on Oct 8. [ 2 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- San Diego announced closer Mason Miller was placed on the paternity leave list before Game 3 of the NLDS against Milwaukee. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Miller recorded 38 saves with a 1.67 ERA over 66 appearances this season and tied for the National League lead in saves. [ 1 , 4 ]
- Miller pitched in Game 2 on Oct 5 and took the loss after giving up a go-ahead hit with two outs in the ninth inning. [ 1 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Miller will be available for Game 4 on Oct 8. Only Dong-A Ilbo states he could return as early as Oct 8; the other documents say only that he is on the paternity leave list.
- The exact series score and Milwaukee's lead. The documents describe San Diego as facing elimination in the series, but the available text does not state the score, and Dong-A Ilbo's summary is cut off mid-sentence.
- Whether San Diego's bullpen can absorb Miller's absence. Yonhap says filling the gap is not expected to be easy, which is an assessment from a single outlet rather than a stated fact.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yonhap reports San Diego placed closer Mason Miller on the paternity leave list before Game 3 against Milwaukee at Petco Park. [ 1 ]
- Chosun Ilbo and Newsis report Miller will miss Game 3 and could be out up to three days if the series continues. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Dong-A Ilbo reports Miller could return as early as Game 4 on Oct 8. [ 4 ]