Jake

Arrieta

Arrieta noted that while he hasn’t “signed the papers” yet, he considers himself “done” with his playing career. It’s a reversal of what Arrieta said early this past offseason when he indicated a plan to continue playing, but it’s safe to say the offers probably weren’t rolling in. That said, while the 36-year-old’s 12-year career flamed out at the end, he’ll always boasts one of the best seasons in modern history, having posted a 1.77 ERA during his NL Cy Young-winning 2015 campaign. All told, Arrieta held a 3.98 ERA and won 115 games for parts of 12 seasons while playing for four different clubs.

Arrieta registered an abysmal 7.39 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 83/44 K/BB ratio across 98 2/3 innings (24 starts) between the Cubs and Padres last season. The 35-year-old righty will likely be forced to settle for a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training if he plans to continue his playing career.

Arrieta was released in late September after allowing an astonishing 16 runs (15 earned) across 12 1/3 innings (four starts) with the Padres after inking a minor-league deal in mid-August. The 35-year-old righty finishes the 2021 campaign with a calamitous 7.39 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 83/44 K/BB ratio across 98 2/3 innings (24 starts) between the Cubs and Padres. Yikes.

Arrieta joined the Friars on a major league contract in mid-August, a few days after getting released by the Cubs, and wound up surrendering a whopping 16 runs -- 15 earned -- over four starts covering just 12 1/3 innings with San Diego. The veteran right-hander seems doubtful to attract any interest on waivers, especially considering that he exited his last outing Sunday versus the Cardinals due to a right adductor (groin) strain.

The 35-year-old hurler had allowed five runs (four earned) while recording just one out in the first inning before he was removed. This has to be the final time that he starts for the Padres, and could very well be the last time that he starts in a big league game.

The veteran right-hander recorded just one out on the first inning and allowed five runs -- four earned -- before his exit. It is unclear when and how Arrieta was injured, but the 35-year-old most likely started his last game for the Padres.

Then it’ll be Yu Darvish on Saturday and Jake Arrieta on Sunday in a crucial three-game weekend series at St. Louis that could go a long way toward deciding the second NL Wild Card berth. Those three pitchers have combined to allow 70 earned runs over their last 59 innings. That’s a 10.68 ERA.

Arrieta couldn’t stay out of trouble in this one. He allowed two batters to reach base in the bottom of the first, three in the second -- including a walk of Anthony DeSclafani -- two more in the third, and he wasn’t allowed to finish the fourth after hitting Mike Yastrzemski with a slider to kick of the inning. The 35-year-old doesn’t have much left in the tank, as he’s now qualified for a win just once over his last eight starts. A road matchup against the Cardinals is up next.

Arrieta made his second start for the Padres on Friday, giving up three runs over five innings to the Astros in San Diego. All three runs would score in the fourth inning. He gave up a leadoff single to Michael Brantley before walking Kyle Tucker to put two runners on. Carlos Correa followed with a three-run homer to give Houston the lead. Arrieta tossed one more scoreless inning before his day was done at 64 pitches -- 41 for strikes. The 35-year-old right-hander is in line for a matchup against the Dodgers in Los Angeles next week.

The 35-year-old hurler will rejoin the Padres starting rotation on Friday night against the hard-hitting Astros. He allowed five runs over 3 1/3 innings in his Padres debut on August 18 before landing on the injured list with a left hamstring strain. If things go as poorly this time around, he could soon find himself looking for work again.