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Padres Notes: SD Signs Veteran, All-Star Could Join Bullpen, Wild-Card Update After Sweep

Catch up on all the latest Padres news and notes.
Gabe Smallson|
Sep 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill (3) celebrates with third baseman Manny Machado (13) after defeating the Washington Nationals at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill (3) celebrates with third baseman Manny Machado (13) after defeating the Washington Nationals at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres took down the Washington Nationals, 9-2, on Wednesday afternoon to complete the series sweep in emphatic fashion and move to 78-68 on the year. It was their fourth win in a row and fifth in the last six games.

Right-hander Walker Buehler struck out four across the first 2.1 innings of the game and allowed a pair of earned runs. Kyle Hart, the man credited with the win, was one of five bullpen arms to hold the Nationals to just one hit for the remainder of the game.

Offensively, superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ty France each had three-hit performances while Austin Hays and Samad Taylor also had multi-hit days. On Jackson Merrill's way to a career-high six RBIs, he had a monster four-hit game, including a triple in the third inning, a two-run home run in the fifth and a solo shot in the seventh inning.

In other news, the Padres signed a veteran pitcher who they originally drafted back in 2013. The right-hander attained a 3.55 ERA across 26 appearances at the Triple-A level this season.

In more pitching news, an All-Star may be added to the Padres bullpen as October looms around the corner and a shoulder injury suffered in June may heal in time for the postseason. The 35-year-old totaled a 2.51 ERA across 36 outings this season before he was put on the shelf.

Finally, the Padres retook control of the final wild-card spot as they now hold a half-game lead thanks to their four-game winning streak as well as the Arizona Diamondbacks snapping a four-game wining streak of their own on Wednesday. As things stand, the Philadelphia Phillies have a four-game advantage for the first wild-card spot and the Chicago Cubs are up 2.5 games for the next available spot.

With the way the 2026 campaign has been thus far, it is way too early to rule out any potential outcome for the Padres.

Here’s all the latest Padres news and stories (click the headline for the full article):

Padres Sign 8-Year Veteran Pitcher Who They Once Traded Away

Padres Could Add All-Star to Bullpen Before End of Season

Padres Manager's Latest Comments Spell Bad News for Joe Musgrove Return

Padres' Failed Bid for All-Star Outfielder Suddenly Looks Like Blessing in Disguise

Padres Officially Release 2 Pitchers, Including 9-Year Veteran

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Gabe Smallson
GABE SMALLSON

Gabe Smallson is a sportswriter based in Los Angeles with a focus in sports and entertainment content. Gabe has previously worked at Newsweek and Dodgers Nation. He graduated from San Francisco State University in 2020 and received his Masters of Science at the University of Southern California in 2025.

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