Matsui pitched two-thirds of an inning in Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Dodgers in South Korea, allowing one walk and striking out one batter without allowing any runs.
Matsui worked as a closer during most of his 10-year career in Japan, but he came into Wednesday's contest in the sixth frame in his first big-league appearance. The southpaw began his outing by walking James Outman but followed that by fooling Enrique Hernandez badly for a three-pitch swinging strikeout and then retiring Gavin Lux on a flyout. Matsui could eventually ascend to higher-leverage work, but he missed much of spring training due to a back injury, so he may be still in the process of fully ramping up. For now, it looks like Robert Suarez will get the first shot to stake a claim as San Diego's closer.
Matsui struck out two batters and allowed one hit in a scoreless inning against Oakland in San Diego's Cactus League finale Wednesday.
Prior to Wednesday's outing, Matsui had been sidelined from game action since late February due to back inflammation. He resumed throwing in early March and looked good in his return to Cactus League play Wednesday, and he was included on the Padres' 31-man travel roster to Korea for the season-opening set against the Dodgers that begins Wednesday. Per MLB.com, Matsui is expected to be ready for the Seoul Series, though he may be working in a setup role behind presumed closer Robert Suarez.
Matsui (back) will pitch in the Padres' Cactus League finale against the A's on Wednesday, MLB.com reports.
Back tightness cost Matsui several weeks of his first major-league spring training after he signed a five-year, $28 million contract with the Padres in December. However, the lefty made it through an intrasquad game over the weekend and his imminent return to exhibition play bodes well for his chances of making the trip to South Korea for the Seoul Series against the Dodgers. Matsui was a top closer in Japan and could eventually find his way into the ninth inning, though MLB.com is projecting him to to open the season as one of the team's primary setup men.
Padres' Yuki Matsui: Uncertain to pitch in Seoul Series
Rotowire
Padres manager Mike Shildt told 97.3 The Fan this week that "there is a possibility" Matsui (back) will be ready for San Diego's opening regular-season series in South Korea.
Matsui hurt his back near the end of February, and a subsequent MRI revealed inflammation. The Japanese reliever was able to work up to throwing a bullpen session Tuesday, and he felt well enough to toss 30 pitches after initially being scheduled for 20, though he didn't throw at full effort, per Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Matsui said after the session that he wasn't sure if he'd be ready to pitch in San Diego's opening regular-season game March 20, stating, "I need to go out there and throw 100 percent. I just want to see how I feel tomorrow and how the body responds." Shildt offered a similar sentiment the following day and said the team would subsequently be assessing Matsui's next step. While the manager expressed some optimism about the southpaw's potential to be ready to pitch in the Seoul Series, he was also clear that the issue is still hazy, explaining, "It's too early to say...with any weight to it."
Matsui (back) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Matsui developed some back spasms following his first appearance of the spring but has progressed since then and is ready to try things from the bump again. Padres manager Mike Shildt expressed optimism Tuesday that Matsui will have time to ramp up for Opening Day as long as he continues to trend in the right direction. Matsui fanned the side in his lone Cactus League appearance and is in the mix to close for San Diego.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Yuki Matsui: Back to throwing
Rotowire
Matsui (back) resumed playing catch Friday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
The left-hander was shut down from throwing the past few days due to back inflammation, but he's back to playing catch Friday. Matsui will likely need to stretch out his throwing distance before returning to mound work, so he should be at least a week or two away from being ready for game action.
Padres' Yuki Matsui: MRI on back shows inflammation
Rotowire
Matsui recently underwent an MRI on his back, which showed inflammation but no structural damage, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.
Matsui was sent for tests after his back tightened up on him Saturday. The Padres are considering him day-to-day. Matsui struck out the side in an impressive Cactus League debut last week and is in the mix for closing duties in San Diego. He will need to get healthy first, of course, but at the moment, he doesn't sound to be dealing with any sort of major concern.
... See More... See Less
Padres' Yuki Matsui: Sitting out Sunday
Rotowire
Manager Mike Shildt told reporters Sunday that Matsui is dealing with back spasms and will not pitch against the Cubs, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.
Matsui felt his back tighten up Saturday and is considered day-to-day. He joined the Padres in December on a five-year, $28 million contract after spending the last several years in the Nippon Professional Baseball league with the Rakuten Eagles. In 2023, Matsui posted 39 saves and a 2-3 record over 59 appearances while registering a 1.57 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 72 strikeouts over 57.1 innings.
