Three weeks before Opening Day, the Padres’ bullpen race has taken an unexpected turn.
A pitcher almost nobody had on their radar is suddenly forcing his way into the conversation.
Logan Gillaspie Suddenly Emerges as Shock Contender for Padres’ Opening Day Roster
SAN DIEGO — Every spring training produces a surprise story. But few expected Logan Gillaspie to become one of the most intriguing names in the San Diego Padres’ bullpen battle.
Entering camp, the 28-year-old right-hander was barely mentioned among candidates for the team’s Opening Day roster. The Padres’ bullpen appeared crowded with established arms and proven relievers, leaving Gillaspie looking like little more than depth.
Now, just weeks before the season begins, that perception is changing rapidly.
With two impressive appearances in spring training, Gillaspie has quietly transformed from an overlooked option into a legitimate contender for a bullpen spot.
And his manager has taken notice.
Dominant Early Spring Performances
In limited action this spring, Gillaspie has delivered exactly the kind of performance that forces coaches to pay attention.
Across 3.2 scoreless innings, he has allowed just one hit while striking out six hitters.
Those numbers may be from a small sample size, but the efficiency and command have stood out in a bullpen competition where every outing matters.
Padres manager Craig Stammen even brought up Gillaspie’s performance without being prompted during a recent media session — a sign that the right-hander has caught the coaching staff’s eye.
“When you have depth, that means you have a lot of options,” Stammen said.
“We saw Logan Gillaspie the other day and how he threw. He probably wasn’t on everyone’s list to make the Opening Day roster, but we have a lot of guys like him who can get outs at the big league level.”
That kind of unsolicited praise in the middle of roster battles rarely happens by accident.
Injuries Suddenly Open the Door
Gillaspie’s rise is happening at the perfect time.
The Padres bullpen picture has recently shifted after right-hander Bryan Hoeing was ruled likely to begin the season on the injured list. Meanwhile, left-hander Yuki Matsui could potentially miss Opening Day as well.
Those developments have created unexpected openings — and suddenly several pitchers are scrambling to seize the opportunity.
Gillaspie has positioned himself squarely in that race.
A Career Looking for Stability
Gillaspie’s MLB career has been something of a roller coaster so far.
After joining the Padres on a waiver claim following the 2023 season, he struggled during limited opportunities in 2024, posting a 7.15 ERA across 11.1 innings.
But last season hinted at improvement.
In a small sample of appearances, he recorded a 2.57 ERA across seven innings, showing better command and sharper stuff.
Now, with his strong start to spring training, the right-hander appears determined to prove those improvements were not a fluke.
A Fierce Bullpen Competition
Even with injuries opening the door, Gillaspie still faces stiff competition.
Several relievers are battling for the final two bullpen spots, while the rest of the relief corps already appears mostly set.
Five pitchers are considered virtual locks:
- Mason Miller
- Jeremiah Estrada
- Adrian Morejon
- David Morgan
- Wandy Peralta
Veteran Jason Adam is also expected to make the roster if he returns healthy.
That leaves only two remaining positions, with multiple pitchers fighting to claim them.
Among the contenders:
- Logan Gillaspie
- Bradley Rodriguez
- Ty Adcock
- Kyle Hart
- Alek Jacob
- Ron Marinaccio
Adding another wrinkle, Jacob and Marinaccio are currently pitching for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, meaning their performances are happening away from Padres camp.
That absence could give pitchers like Gillaspie extra opportunities to impress the coaching staff during spring games.
The Final Weeks Will Decide Everything
With roughly three weeks left before Opening Day, every inning will carry enormous weight.
Bullpen roles can change quickly during spring training, and strong late performances often determine the final roster spots.
For Gillaspie, the situation is simple: keep delivering.
If he continues to dominate hitters the way he has in his early appearances, the Padres may have no choice but to give the once-overlooked pitcher a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Because in baseball, sometimes the biggest surprises come from the names no one expected to see.
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