Welcome to our series grading every member of the San Diego Padres’ 40-man roster. The roster being evaluated is current as of Oct. 18, prior to the end of the World Series. Because of that, it will include players who…
Gaslamp Ball's Lincoln Zdunich awards San Diego Padres reliever Yuki Matsui an A+ grade following a dominant 2026 season. The left-hander recorded a 1.83 ERA and held opponents to a .171 batting average across 64 innings of relief work. Matsui was particularly effective down the stretch, compiling a 1.42 ERA over his final 30 appearances and a 0.68 ERA in his last 15 outings.
Zdunich notes that while advanced metrics like a 4.18 FIP and 3.03 expected ERA suggest potential defensive assistance or good fortune, Matsui consistently navigated high-leverage situations. Ahead of the 2027 season, Matsui opted not to exercise his contract opt-out, ensuring his return to the Padres bullpen.
Get the latest sports news and top stories from MySportsTab delivered straight to your inbox.
No spam. Just the latest sports news and updates.
