Padres reliever Craig Stammen suffered a torn capsule in his right shoulder and strained sub scapula Friday, as reported by the San Diego Union Tribune’s Kevin Acee. Stammen, who just celebrated his 39th birthday, acknowledged that his “playing days are probably over,” though it seems Stammen and the club have not decided whether or not to pursue surgery. The longtime Padres right-hander was in camp on a minor league deal this spring.
Stammen was a 12th round pick by the Washington Nationals in the 2005 draft and began his career as a starter with the Nats back in 2009. In two seasons as a starter, Stammen struggled to a 5.12 ERA that was 19% below league average, causing the Nationals to move him to the bullpen. Stammen flourished in this role, as he posted a strong 2.80 ERA (138 ERA+) backed by a solid 3.12 FIP in 257 innings of work from 2011-2015 following his move to the bullpen. Unfortunately, his 2015 season ended in April with flexor tendon surgery, and Stammen would not return to the big leagues until 2017, when he joined the Padres.
In six years as a member of the Padres bullpen, Stammen largely pitched well en route to becoming the longest-tenured player on the major league roster. In addition to his 394 1/3 innings of 3.36 ERA ball, he was frequently cited as a leader and mentor in the clubhouse and beloved throughout the organization. Stammen began to struggle in 2022, however, as he posted a 4.43 ERA that was 15% below league average in addition to suffering a torn rotator cuff last season that sat him down for two months. This new injury has a recovery time of 4-6 months, and surgery would require an even lengthier rehab process.
Despite losing Stammen for, at bare minimum, the first half of the 2023 campaign, the Padres relief corps still appears set up well for success headed into 2023, with Drew Pomeranz and Robert Suarez joining closer Josh Hader at the back of San Diego’s bullpen. As previously mentioned, Stammen was in camp on a minor league contract and was far from a lock to make the Opening Day roster as he competed with the likes of Jose Lopez, Michel Baez, and Steven Wilson for a roster spot.
That Stammen is considering retirement following his latest injury is understandable given this the second severe injury the righty has suffered in just the last few months, particularly without a clear path to big league playing time upon his return. That said, even staring down the possibility of being unable to pitch competitively until his age-40 season, Stammen has not entirely closed the door on attempting a comeback, noting to reporters, “At this point today, I can’t imagine myself as not a baseball player… hopefully they’ll let me rehab for a little while.”
Best wishes to him on recovery
Me too. Had a friend from high school who pitched in the bigs in the 80s who hurt his shoulder and that was it. But he got a nice house out of it.
A really admirable career. He hung in there and did the job.
Well, I liked what he did and I hope they put him on the 40-man, 60-day him and give him a ring for hanging around so long…
At least he went out with his boots on. I hope he’s well enough to play with his and grandkids.
I remember when the Indians signed him and Hunter before the 2016 season and I thought this team is serious, they’re signing guys who may not even contribute until fall, just on the chance that he’ll be useful in the post season
I hope they treat him well! He’s been a long suffering part of the team and deserves that ring if they were to get one this year.
Will Meyers should get a damn honorary one too! It’s weird seeing him in red this year, it just doesn’t look right!
@sandiego. Every time I think of Wil Myers it makes me think of him being the main piece the Padres acquired in a trade that cost them Trea Turner. As a Braves fan I can think of a handful of trades I wish they would NOT of done over the last 20 years. I can imagine you might feel the same way on the Trea Turner trade.
Why? Wil Myers is a stain on this franchise. Thank god he’s gone.
Myers is the kind of guy a team acquires when it’s trying to move to the next step in a rebuild. You start with a bunch of AAAA guys, then gradually bring in better players as some of the young guys mature and others wash out. He’s no superstar, but he was a serviceable (albiet overpaid) player for the Padres for many years.
I think you got the name wrong that’s, Eric Hosmer!
Myers was way worse than Hosmer!
39 years old, no reason to put himself through the riggers of surgery and rehab hoping to make a comeback at 40. Stammen had a solid career with the Nats and Padres, got to play 13 seasons and should be set for life. If it’s time to move on than congrats to craig
He should qualify for that retirement insurance and funding due to service
He does, he’s well past the needed 10 year mark.
He just couldn’t stay, man!
Weak. And by the way, its not “Stam – men”, its pronounced “Stah men”.
Stammen is a good story basically a failed starter like Andrew Chafin who embraced being a reliever. Made some decent money had a nice career. I admire these guys.
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!
Maybe its time to switch roles and go into coaching. He is a really good pitcher and we appreciate what he has done for the Padres
He’d probably be a very good coach.
I’ll bet the organization finds another way for him to contribute, but I’m sorry to hear this.
My favorite moment from Stammen is when he picked up the win as part of that crazy nine-pitcher 2020 NL Wild Card shutout to get past the Cardinals.
Torn Capsule in his shoulder. Hmmmm. Where have I heard that before?
Solid career. God is telling him to retire.
What about hitting? Will this impact his ability to hit?
He’s no Slamarena with the shillelagh in his hands, but we thank Gramps for his service and wish him well in the FO/Coaching staff here!
Great GUY, too Bad. Coach or FRONT OFFICE in his Future?
Good news is that he hit 10 years of service time last year. And he made over 20 mil in his career. As a Padres fan, it’s always kind of sad to see these longer tenured players go, if only on account of nostalgia. Between he and Wil Myers we had a couple of players who suffered through some tough times with us.
Lol people thought that if the Padres traded Stammen in 2017 that it would mean he was absolutely 100% not coming back or that it would negatively affect what teams were willing to offer Preller for his future trade chips… lol
I love stories about careers like Stammen. Never a super star but he had some good years, kept grinding it out and managed to reach 10 years for a full pension and has earned almost $23M.. If this is the end of the road, cheers to a career that most people only wish they could have.
Muscles, tendons and joints tend to get more rigid with age, even for someone who exercises regularly and stays in shape. Craig Stammen had a good run and I wish him the best. Father time is the ultimate closer.
Nats fans fondly remember Stammen as a reliever. I hope he can recover and still play if he wants to, but congrats to him on his career if it is over.
Good luck on your recovery Hoss. Hope the Padres give you the time you need to heal and it doesn’t require surgery and you can get a ring.
They should hold a Craig Stammen night when the Nationals come to town. Maybe a baseball with all his statistics on it… Oh, people might throw that onto the field, nevermind.
Tough way to have a career end, but very few guys go out on a high note.
Respect on a great career.
If you’ve recorded your last out, no worries…walk off knowing you’re appreciated for all the outs you made before it. Thanks for your effort, CS!!!
Sad, even for a Dodger fan. Seemed like a tough dude, hope for a speedy recovery and who knows maybe his career is not over!
“Despite losing Stammen for, at bare minimum, the first half of the 2023 campaign….”
You’ve got it out of order, and you need an article before “bare.” Should be:
“Despite losing Stammen for the first half of the 2023 campaign at the bare minimum,…”
Shut. Up.
Oh no, someone in a comment section told me to stop commenting! That works 100% of the time?
Yet another loser who doesn’t care about proper English. Go back to your cousin/sister/wife.
Have him record one out (or maybe make one plate appearance during a blowout) so he is eligible for a ring in the event the Padres win it this year?
It’s gonna be like 5 seconds until SD acquires flexon from the mariners. Who goes in return?
A sad story if he’s done playing. A career to be proud of
No more Stammen-A? ^_^
Smart to the surgery and shoulder repaired by the top surgeons now.
If not, he will regret it and suffer with shoulder pain the rest of his life
baseball or no basebal.
39 is a pretty good run. Not easy to close the door though.
Yes it is a good run. Just makes me cringe for Mets fans realizing that the season hinges on 2 “aces” that are at / beyond that age. This guys have a lot more innings on their arms/shoulders.
If they can stay healthy and perform at near their peak levels that is a strong 1-2 but boy it could go down the tubes quickly.
Craig Stammen was the Padres’ 2022 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. The man is a star on and off the field. Best wishes for what’s next.
If this is the end, it’s a crappy way to go out, but a solid career and I wish him the best.
Man, that stinks. Thanks for all your contributions as a padre and wish ya a speedy recovery
Watch out for Angel Felipe. He could be another weapon out of the SD bullpen