All-Star Closer Miller Benched As Padres Face Elimination

Liberty Check

• Team-first loyalty is under the microscope as personal timing collides with playoff urgency.
• MLB rules give players three days off, but the message to fans is clear: championship windows are short and precious.
• Substitute arms must now prove they can protect the season when it matters most.

San Diego Padres All-Star reliever Mason Miller will miss an elimination game against the Milwaukee Brewers after being placed on Major League Baseball’s paternity list ahead of Game 3 of the National League Division Series.

Miller couldn’t have picked a worse time to step away, leaving San Diego without its top bullpen weapon right before a win-or-go-home Game 3. The team placed him on the paternity list 45 minutes before the start of the game.

Under MLB’s postseason paternity rules, Miller is allowed up to three days off.

The Pads plugged that hole by putting veteran lefty Wandy Peralta on the active roster. If San Diego somehow manages to keep its season alive, Miller gets his spot back whenever he returns.

Baseball fans couldn’t help but draw comparisons to Yankees starter Max Fried, who finds himself in the exact same boat. Fried is slated to pitch a crucial Game 3 with his girlfriend due any day, but he publicly confirmed he isn’t skipping his start for anything. Seeing Fried post up for his team while Miller sits out an elimination game brought the debate over playoff priorities right to the forefront.

Making matters worse, Miller’s last act on Sunday was a total disappointment. Trusted to secure a six-out save in Game 2, he unravelled with two outs and two strikes in the ninth, giving up a walk-off single to Jackson Chourio.

Congratulations are in order for the new dad, but if San Diego gets eliminated, fans won’t be in much of a mood to celebrate.

Our freedoms depend on staying vigilant.