Yuki

Matsui

Matsui has already progressed to facing hitters and should be ready to return to San Diego’s relief corps at some point in April. The 30-year-old missed the World Baseball Classic due to the ailment after 125 relief appearances for the Padres over the past two seasons.

The 30-year-old hurler is making progress in his recovery and is set to face live hitters in the next few days, but he’s going to need a bit longer to get ramped up for the regular season. He should be ready to join the Padres’ bullpen at some point in April.

Yumeto Kanemaru will take Matsui’s place on Japan’s WBC roster. Matsui told reporters he is continuing a build-up, but hasn’t yet progressed to throwing off a mound. It sounds like he might have an early-season IL stint if he can’t progress to throwing off a mound in the near future.

Matsui suffered the injury during a live batting practice session on Thursday. They’ll take it day-by-day and see how he’s feeling, but it sounds like he may be unable to compete in the Classic. As of now though, his availability for the start of the regular season isn’t in doubt.

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.