San Diego Padres DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill went 2-for-4 with a home run, a run, and two RBI in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Yankees. He's picked up right where he left off after missing a month with a hamstring strain, producing two multi-hit games in his first two games back. He's batting .400 over 12 games this season with four home runs and one stolen base. The 22-year-old will look to build on his elite 2024 rookie season and figures to be a top-15 outfielder for fantasy for years to come.

Updating a previous report, San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said that the team is hopeful it was just a right-forearm cramp that led to right-hander Dylan Cease's (forearm) early exit from his start on Wednesday night in the Bronx against the New York Yankees. Shildt said the Padres weren't taking any chances with Cease, who appeared to be lobbying to stay in the contest. In the eventual 4-3 extra-innings loss, the 29-year-old looked the best he has all year in a no-decision, allowing just an earned run on a solo homer by former Cody Bellinger while walking two and striking out a season-high nine in 6 2/3 innings. The only hit he allowed didn't come until the seventh inning, right before he was pulled. Cease's injury doesn't appear to be too serious, but it doesn't mean he won't be in danger of missing his next start. Stay tuned for more details before Friday's series opener against the division-rival Colorado Rockies.UPDATE: Cease said he plans to make his next start, and manager Mike Shildt said he passed post-game tests from the training staff.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease (undisclosed) made an early exit from Wednesday's game against the New York Yankees. Cease was cruising along and took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of Wednesday's contest. However, Cease gave up a solo home run to Cody Bellinger to break up the no-no. After that, Cease was forced to exit with a trainer due to an undisclosed injury, but he appeared to be looking at his right hand. The organization should give an update on his status, but hopefully it was only a cramp or something minor. He finished his outing throwing 6 2/3 innings, allowing one earned run on one hit, while striking out nine batters. Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update on his status. Before exiting, Cease appeared to be pleading his case to remain in the game, for what it's worth.

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) has thrown several bullpen sessions and has ramped up the intensity with each session. Darvish traveled to the team's spring training complex in Arizona recently and could face live hitters in the coming days. The 38-year-old Japanese veteran was put on the 15-day injured list on March 27 (retroactive to March 24) with right-elbow inflammation that cropped up during spring training. He has yet to pitch at all in 2025, but barring a setback as he continues to ramp up, Darvish could return to the Padres' starting rotation in late May. He will certainly have a rotation spot waiting for him when he's fully healthy, making Darvish a stash candidate in fantasy, even though he's past his prime. The five-time All-Star went 7-3 last year with a 3.31 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with a 78:22 K:BB in 81 2/3 innings over just 16 starts.

San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth (rib) started his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday and went 1-for-2 with a home run, two RBI, three runs scored, three walks and a strikeout. Cronenworth might only need two rehab games at El Paso before potentially joining the Friars for their series opener at Coors Field on Friday against the division-rival Colorado Rockies. Before joining El Paso, the 31-year-old veteran went 1-for-3 in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. When Cronenworth returns to the Padres, he'll resume his role as their regular second baseman, sending Jose Iglesias back to a bench role in San Diego. The two-time All-Star went 9-for-35 (.257) with two home runs, two doubles, five RBI and seven runs scored in his first 12 games for the Pads before landing on the injured list with a non-displaced right-rib fracture.