Padres Notes: Friars Make Roster Move, Linked to $40M Pitcher, Targeting Major Upgrade

In this story:
The San Diego Padres beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-4, on Saturday evening. The Friars improved to 52-43 on the year thanks to a pair of bombs from Jackson Merrill.
Ahead of the eventual defeat, the Padres made a surprising roster move. A right-hander was optioned once again as a relief pitcher was recalled.
In more pitching news, the Friars are linked to a $40 million starting pitcher. The right-hander has 18 strikeouts to just five walks over his last five starts.
Finally, manager Mike Shildt appeared to take a rather bold step in improving some of the gaps in his roster. His message was almost definitely aimed at asking the front office to make a key upgrade after resorting to a pinch-hitter once again over a spot of weakness in the offense.
Here’s more information on these stories and all the latest Padres news (click the headline for the full article):
Padres Shockingly Option Starting Pitcher, Recall Alek Jacob From Triple-A
Padres Named Top Landing Spot for $40 Million Starting Pitcher at Trade Deadline
Padres' Mike Shildt Appears to Not So Subtly Ask Front Office to Make Key Upgrade
Padres' Joe Musgrove Takes Major Step in Progression Toward Return
Padres All-Star Admits First Trade Was 'Super Jarring'
Padres Expected to Make Major Shakeup at Catcher: Report
Padres Tweets of the Day:
Jackson Merrill homers twice as the @Padres win their 3rd consecutive game! pic.twitter.com/1ghxFTESJr
— MLB (@MLB) July 13, 2025
All about that action. pic.twitter.com/i4wWPWlylt
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 13, 2025
El Mutante, absolute cinema 👽@Padres | @TinCaps pic.twitter.com/WGYrldycsX
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) July 12, 2025
What does MLB stand for? Merrill Looking Bomb. pic.twitter.com/a21bQV0cGD
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 13, 2025
We have optioned RHP Ryan Bergert to Triple-A El Paso and recalled RHP Alek Jacob from El Paso.
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 12, 2025
Our favorite Padres 🥹 pic.twitter.com/Y35ZOnlfjs
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 12, 2025
For more Padres news, head over to Padres on SI.

Gabe Smallson is a sportswriter based in Los Angeles. His focus is sports and entertainment content. Gabe has previously worked at DodgersNation and Newsweek. He graduated from San Francisco State University in 2020 and is a Masters Candidate at the University of Southern California. You can get in touch with Gabe by emailing gabe.smallson@lasportsreport.com. You can find him on X @gabesmallson
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