Yuki Matsui's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said Tuesday that relief pitcher Yuki Matsui (back) is slated to return to game action on Wednesday in the team's Cactus League finale against the Athletics. Matsui, who was signed this off-season, has missed the last three weeks with back tightness. However, the left-hander pitched in an intrasquad game on Sunday, facing five hitters and retiring four of them. The 28-year-old figures to start the season in a high-leverage role for the Padres and could eventually see save opportunities given his track record in Japan and the five-year, $28 million deal he signed.

San Diego Padres left-handed reliever Yuki Matsui (back), who dealt with early spring back spasms, is throwing a bullpen session in camp on Tuesday. Manager Mike Shildt said that if all goes well with the bullpen, there should be plenty of time to get Matsui built up for the start of the 2024 regular season. The 28-year-old southpaw struck out the side in his Cactus League debut in the team's first spring game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he developed back spasms shortly after that outing and has been shut down since. The Japanese reliever should have a prominent high-leverage role in San Diego's bullpen in 2024 after signing a five-year, $28 million deal over the winter, and he could even take over closing duties in the ninth inning if Robert Suarez falters at all.

San Diego Padres left-hander Yuki Matsui (back) has resumed playing catch in camp on Friday. The 28-year-old reliever was shut down from throwing last weekend due to inflammation in his back, but it wasn't a serious concern and he's already back to throwing. It remains unclear when he'll be able to get into another Cactus League game after striking out the side in his impressive debut last Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Barring another setback, though, Matsui will have time to get up to speed for the two-game opening series against the Dodgers in Korea on March 20-21. After signing a five-year, $28 million deal with the Friars in December, Matsui should have a significant late-inning role in SD in his rookie season, perhaps even taking over closing duties if Robert Suarez struggles in the ninth-inning role.