JP

Sears

Sears allowed seven hits, walked three and struck out four. After four months in which he went 7-9 with a 4.95 ERA as a member of the A’s rotation, Sears was used only sporadically in San Diego, going 2-2 with a 5.47 ERA in five starts. The Padres would probably need to pay $2 million-$3 million to keep him in arbitration, and time will tell if they think it’s worth it to hold on to him as a depth option or if they ship him elsewhere.

Sears draws the starting assignment for Sunday’s mostly meaningless regular-season finale against the Diamondbacks. There’s some definite streaming appeal here since Arizona has little to play for and the 29-year-old southpaw punched out eight batters over 4 1/3 innings his last time out against the Rockies.

Sears pitched decently in a losing effort against the Rockies on Friday night, but was only up for a spot start so he’ll head right back to Triple-A in exchange for a fresh bullpen arm. Bradgley Rodriguez was recalled from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move.

Let’s just say this is becoming more and more the Mason Miller trade. Sears was recalled Friday and struggled again, with the biggest blow being the three-run homer he allowed to Blaine Crim in the fourth. The 29-year-old southpaw also allowed a homer to Kyle Farmer in the same frame. The strikeouts are nice, but obviously these aren’t the results you’re looking for. It remains to be seen when/if Sears will make another start for San Diego.

As anticipated, Sears will slot into the Padres’ rotation on Friday night to give everyone else an extra day of rest. The 29-year-old left-hander has struggled in three starts with the club since coming over at the trade deadline, registering a 5.52 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and an 8/3 K/BB ratio across 14 2/3 frames.

Shildt wants to get everyone else in his rotation an extra day of rest, so they’ll slot Sears in at some point over the weekend. The 29-year-old southpaw has made just three starts with the Padres since coming over in a deadline deal from the Athletics, posting a 5.52 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and an 8/3 K/BB ratio over 14 2/3 innings of work.

The 29-year-old southpaw gave up four runs (three earned) over 3 2/3 innings against the Mariners on Monday. No word yet on who will be called upon to replace Sears in the Padres’ rotation on Sunday against the Orioles, though Randy Vasquez is always an option. Sears will continue to hone his craft at the Triple-A level for the time being.

After impressing Thursday, Sears did not build on that six innings of one-run baseball against the Giants. He immediately matched the run total in the first by allowing a solo homer to Cal Raleigh — Raleigh’s 50th of 2025 — and he also surrendered a two-run homer to Jorge Polanco. Sears is likely to get a chance to bounce back against the Orioles on Sunday.

Sears struck out just two, but the Giants offense sputtered against a lefty, as has been typical this season. Casey Schmitt’s homer was the Giants’ lone run of the game. Sears, acquired from the A’s in the Mason Miller deal, was making his second start for the Padres after giving up five runs in a loss on Aug. 4 and getting sent down. He’ll probably stick for now with Michael King on the shelf and start again next week versus the Mariners.

Sears will get a chance to redeem himself after his debut with the Padres (five innings, five runs) didn’t go well and resulted in an option to the minors. The 29-year-old has had success at the highest level, but his inability to miss bats makes him a tough fantasy sell.