Bradgley Rodriguez shuts down Guards for first save

Rodriguez has looked like a viable high-leverage arm in his first extended opportunity at the highest level this season, posting a sparkling 2.10 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 32/12 K/BB ratio across 34 1/3 innings. He’ll factor into their late-inning bridge to elite stopper Mason Miller.

With Mason Miller returning from bereavement leave on Friday, someone needed to get the boot from the Padres’ bullpen and Rodriguez pulled the short straw. The 22-year-old holds a terrific 2.10 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 32/12 K/BB ratio over 34 1/3 innings in 31 appearances with the Padres this season and should be back in relatively short order.

Miller, who picked up an impressive four-out save against the Orioles on Sunday, will be away from the club on bereavement leave for the next few days. He’s converted 19 saves with a microscopic 0.90 ERA and 59/12 K/BB ratio across 30 innings this season. His absence will result in either Jason Adam or Adrian Morejon handling any save chances for the Padres. The other dark horse name to watch is hard-throwing rookie Bradgley Rodriguez, who has been an unexpected revelation this season. Fantasy managers should anticipate Miller returning later this week.

Hart’s removal from San Diego’s relief mix seems to signal that Yuki Matsui and rookie Bradgley Rodriguez are going to make the club’s postseason roster.

The 21-year-old hurler will return to add a fresh arm to the Padres’ bullpen. Rodriguez made one appearance with the Padres back in June where he fired 1 2/3 scoreless innings with one strikeout. He’ll give manager Mike Shildt another weapon to deploy in the middle innings.

Rodriguez returns to the minors after tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings over the weekend against the Pirates in his big-league debut. The 21-year-old righty was promoted directly from Double-A San Antonio after 18 strong relief appearances. He figures to return at some point later this summer.

The 21-year-old phenom didn’t have much left to prove in the minor leagues after registering a 3.22 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and a 31/5 K/BB ratio over 22 1/3 innings in 18 appearances at Double-A San Antonio. He could wind up being a major weapon out of the Padres’ bullpen, though he’ll probably have to work his way up into a high leverage role. Kyle Hart was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move on Friday.

Already having emerged as a fine relief prospect last year, Rodriguez has halved his walk rate in Double-A this season, giving him a 31/5 K/BB to go along with a 3.22 ERA in 22 1/3 innings. He might not be ready for the majors just yet, but he’s a talent.

Rodriguez allowed two runs in four innings and had a 4/0 K/BB this spring. Purely a relief prospect, he had a 2.64 ERA and a 75/31 K/BB in 61 1/3 innings at three levels as a 20-year-old last season.