Padres put closer Mason Miller on paternity list

Key Points:

• Padres closer Miller struggled in a recent postseason outing, walking the bases loaded and giving up the game-winning hit, marking his first runs allowed in four postseason appearances and his fourth blown save in 43 chances this year.
• Despite the tough outing, Miller had a dominant regular season with 38 saves and a 1.67 ERA, and he remains a key figure for the Padres heading into the Wild Card Series against the Cubs.
• Miller's workload is a concern, having thrown 40 pitches in the recent game, which may limit him to one inning in upcoming postseason games and affect his effectiveness.
• The Padres have a bullpen strategy involving Bradgley Rodriguez, Adrian Morejon, and Miller, but fatigue could be an issue as all three have pitched frequently in recent days; Yuki Matsui and David Morgan may be options for closing duties.
• Miller secured his 36th save of the season in a prior game against the Giants, demonstrating his capability despite recent struggles, as the Padres clinched a postseason berth and look to manage his usage carefully.