San Diego Padres left-hander Wandy Peralta has exercised his $4.45MM player option for the 2027 season, returning to the club’s bullpen for another year, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post. The decision marks the third straight offseason that Peralta has chosen to remain with the Padres, locking in the final year of the four-year contract he originally signed in February 2024.
How Wandy Peralta Pitched Through a Heavy Workload in San Diego
Peralta logged a career-high 77 1/3 innings this year, anchoring the middle relief corps as one of the team’s most durable arms. He finished the year with a 3.61 ERA, backed by a career-best 7.2% walk rate and a high 77.7% strand rate. While his strikeout rate dipped to 15.6%, the 35-year-old relied on his sinker-changeup mix to maintain an above-average ground ball rate of 45.6%, though that figure marked a notable drop from his 59.7% mark in 2025. Both his expected ERA (xERA) and SIERA finished at 4.32, sitting higher than his actual earned run average.
Wandy Peralta, Padres LHP, opted in for $4.45M for 2027
The Evolution of the Padres Bullpen Roster
The left-hander stands as a reliable innings eater in a relief corps undergoing significant transition. Peralta threw the second-most innings among Padres relievers this year, trailing only left-hander Adrian Morejon, who covered 86 frames. With Morejon and Jason Adam departing, the bullpen relies on Mason Miller, Bradgley Rodriguez, and Jeremiah Estrada at the back end. Peralta’s affordable $4.45MM salary preserves vital financial flexibility for a San Diego front office heavily focused on rebuilding a starting rotation featuring free agents Michael King, Nick Pivetta, Walker Buehler, Robbie Ray, and Casey Mize.
Yuki Matsui Faces an Impending Roster Decision
Teammate Yuki Matsui faces a critical roster deadline following Peralta’s choice to return. Matsui has until 4:00pm CT tomorrow to decide whether to stick around for two years and $13.5MM. Four years younger than Peralta, Matsui posted a sub-2.00 ERA this year, though underlying metrics suggested considerable fortune alongside his run prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wandy Peralta and the Padres
What were the terms of Wandy Peralta’s original contract with San Diego?
Peralta signed a four-year deal in February 2024 that included a $4.25MM player option for 2025 and $4.45MM player options for 2026 and ’27.
How did Wandy Peralta’s ground ball rates shift over his recent seasons?
Peralta posted a 56.8% ground ball rate from 2021-25, which included a 59.7% mark in 2025, before dropping to 45.6% this year.
Which Padres relievers threw the most innings this year?
Adrian Morejon led San Diego relievers with 86 innings pitched, followed closely by Wandy Peralta with a career-high 77 1/3 innings, while Bradgley Rodriguez and Mason Miller each covered 70 frames.
Keep reading