Casey Mize exits start because of sprained ankle

Mize was lit up for seven runs and three homers during Friday’s loss, and it seems likely that the ankle didn’t help in that outing. He’ll assuredly miss the Wild Card series against whatever opponent San Diego faces, but there’s a decent chance his 2026 campaign is over.

Mize allowed three homers in the start, and gave up a three-spot in the first inning to eliminate any chance of this becoming a literal/figurative quality start. The 29-year-old has not pitched well — for the most part — since being acquired from the Tigers at the deadline, and there’s no guarantee he’ll be part of the San Diego playoff rotation. Either way, he ends 2026 with a 4.32 ERA and 6-10 record.

Mize’s Padres tenure has been a disaster for his upcoming free agency, with his 24/17 K/BB in 40 2/3 innings standing out as being even more hideous than his 6.64 ERA. He hasn’t actually hurt the Padres, who have gone 6-3 in his starts, but he’s not giving the team any reason to trust him in the postseason. He’ll likely face the D-backs on Friday, but on the off chance that there’s anything still on the line at that point, he’ll by on a very short leash.

Mize got the job done, but it certainly wasn’t in any sort of encouraging fashion. His fastball velocity was down one mph from his season average, and he got a visit from the trainer at one point. He finished the game having allowed eight hits and two walks while striking out none. He recorded two missed swings and finished with a 12 percent CSW. If he hadn’t been facing the Rockies, this probably wouldn’t have gone nearly as well.

Mize surrendered a solo homer to Yohandy Morales in the second inning. That was the only run he had allowed through five solid frames before running into trouble in the sixth. He put two runners on with a double and a walk, then departed with two outs at 90 pitches. Both inherited runners would come in to score. The 29-year-old right-hander will take a 3.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 107/29 K/BB ratio across 119 1/3 innings into a start against the Rockies in Colorado on Monday.

That’s now three rough starts in a row for Mize. The right-hander struck out four and walked one in this game, but he had just a 10 percent called strike rate, and the Reds got him for two home runs. His overall velocity was fine, but he lost two inches of vertical movement on his four-seamer and missed way up and out of the strike zone too often. On paper, his next three starts against the Nationals, Rockies, and Marlins are enticing, but it’s hard to be overly excited.

Mize was charged with only two earned runs in this one, but the Rays put seven runs on the board while Mize was on the mound. After getting through the first two innings unscathed, Mize saw a sinker to Yandy Díaz land 382 feet over the right-field stands for a solo homer, putting the Padres down 1-0. The Rays would add to their lead in the fourth inning, as Mize struggled to retire anybody and saw five runs come across to score, although he was only charged with one earned run. Mize would allow one more earned run in the fifth inning before being pulled after 77 pitches, and will see his August come to an end with a 7.00 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. He’ll look to get back on track in the final month of the season, with his next start coming on Wednesday in Cincinnati against the Reds.

Mize has been given the green light after making it through Wednesday’s bullpen session without any issues. The 29-year-old suffered a sprained right ankle during his last outing against the Twins over the weekend. He’s given up 14 runs over 18 innings across four starts since arriving in San Diego at the trade deadline.

Mize was able to play catch on back-to-back days after suffering a right ankle sprain during Saturday’s start against the Twins. The 29-year-old has been snake-bitten by injuries this season and that bad luck has apparently followed him to San Diego. The positive news is that he appears on track to take the ball against the Rays later this week, depending on how he’s feeling coming out of Wednesday’s bullpen session. There should be a definitive update on his status in the coming days.

Mize was first checked on while warming up for the third and was pulled from the game after giving up balls in play of 106, 107 and 108 mph to the three batters he faced that inning. Fortunately, two of those were outs, but Mize still gave up three runs in 2 2/3 innings. Mize averaged just 90.4 mph with his fastball in the third, putting him three mph below his season average.