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Yuki Matsui’s return gives Padres relief and a dangerous assumption to avoid

Yuki Matsui gives the Padres a valuable returning arm. Counting on another dominant ERA would leave San Diego’s bullpen exposed.

By Tremayne Person · Friars on Base

Published: Monday, 2 November 2026 at 3:15 AM

Key Things to Know

Tremayne Person argues the Padres must not assume Yuki Matsui can repeat his sub-2.00 ERA after opting in.
Left-handed reliever Yuki Matsui declined his opt-out to remain with the San Diego Padres.
Matsui posted a 1.83 ERA, 4.18 FIP, and 5.1 walks per nine innings over 64 innings in 2026.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Yuki Matsui will remain with the San Diego Padres after declining to exercise his contract opt-out clause ahead of the winter. In 2026, the left-handed reliever recorded a 1.83 ERA across 64 innings while issuing 5.1 walks per nine innings and posting a 4.18 FIP.

Writer Tremayne Person argues that the Padres must avoid assuming Matsui can repeat his sub-2.00 ERA given the gap between his ERA and FIP. Person urges the front office to build additional bullpen depth and acquire complementary strike-throwers rather than over-relying on Matsui.

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Yuki Matsui’s return gives Padres relief and a dangerous assumption to avoid

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