Yuki

Matsui

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.

Matsui did issue a walk, but he was able to fan Dalton Rushing to end the game. The Padres entered the ninth with a 5-0 cushion, but both Sean Reynolds and Robert Suarez were unable to keep the Dodgers off the board. It’s especially concerning to see Suarez struggle again, as this is his third-straight appearance where he’s allowed a run. The Padres may need to turn to Matsui and Jason Adam if these struggles continue, but neither pitcher should be rostered just yet.

There was some thought that Pérez could be a lefty reliever for San Diego for that first series, but the Padres will go with Yuki Matsui in that role instead. Pérez could be an option in the NLDS against the Dodgers if San Diego were to advance.

Matsui also allowed three runs and took a loss in his previous appearance Sunday, so his ERA has quickly jumped from 2.88 to 4.97. He made sense for those speculating on saves back in March, but Robert Suarez has easily outpaced him this season.

Cease and a trio of relievers -- Yuki Matsui, Wandy Peralta and Yerry De Los Santos -- limited Chicago’s lineup to just three hits combined in a one-sided affair. The 28-year-old righty was nearly flawless, allowing just four baserunners over six frames to open the contest, with a fourth-inning homer by Michael Busch accounting for the only damage against him. He finished with seven strikeouts and only issued a pair of walks. He’ll bring a sparkling 2.16 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 20/6 K/BB ratio across 16 2/3 innings (three starts) into a tough road tilt on Tuesday against the Brewers.

Matsui was pulled after a single and two walks. He didn’t factor into the decision in the game, but this won’t help his case for challenging Robert Suarez for save chances.

Michael Conforto homered off him, but that just narrowed the Padres’ lead from three runs to two. Suarez retired the other three batters he faced, striking out one. Yuki Matsui set him up by getting five outs while facing four batters; he got an inning-ending double play after taking over in the seventh. Odds are that Suarez will be decent enough in the closer’s role, but Matsui could make things interesting in San Diego.

It’s notable that Padres manager Mike Shildt called upon Suarez to protect a one-run margin in the final frame while Yuki Matsui, Enyel De Los Santos and Wandy Peralta pitched earlier in the exhibition contest. Nothing is set in stone, but fantasy managers should feel confident forecasting Suarez as the favorite for saves in San Diego entering the season.

Matsui wound up missing a couple weeks due to back tightness, but was able to get into a Cactus League contest earlier this week. The 28-year-old southpaw figures to be in the late-inning mix for the Padres when they open the season in a few days against the division-rival Dodgers in South Korea.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said if all goes well with the session, Matsui should have plenty of time to be ready for the season opener.