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The San Diego Padres will have a reliable left-handed arm back in their bullpen for the 2027 season. Wandy Peralta has chosen to exercise his $4.45 million player option, according to a report from Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The decision keeps Peralta in San Diego for the final year of the four-year, $16.5 million contract he signed prior to the 2024 season.
Peralta, who will turn 36 next season, made 65 appearances for the Padres in 2026, with 60 of those coming in relief and five as an opener. He posted a 3-3 record and a 3.61 ERA, striking out 50 batters while walking 23 over 77.1 innings. The left-hander has now thrown at least 70 innings in each of the last two seasons for San Diego. In 2025, he recorded a 3.14 ERA across 71.2 innings.
Since joining the Padres as a free agent before the 2024 season, Peralta has been a steady presence. Over his three seasons in San Diego, he owns a 3.51 ERA in 187.1 innings. His role has primarily been as a middle reliever capable of providing multiple innings, and his $4.45 million salary is considered reasonable for a pitcher of his caliber. While the Padres have generally avoided using him in high-leverage situations, they could trust him in such spots if needed. Notably, Peralta has not recorded a save during his time with the Padres, despite having 13 saves over his first eight MLB seasons.
Key Analysis
Peralta's decision to opt in provides the Padres with some certainty in a bullpen that could see significant turnover this offseason. The team still needs to fill out its entire starting rotation and several relief spots, but Peralta's affordable contract and consistent performance make him a valuable asset. His ability to pitch multiple innings and his experience in various roles add flexibility to the pitching staff.
Peralta's career began when he signed with the Cincinnati Reds in May 2010. He made his MLB debut in 2016 and remained with the Reds until late in the 2019 season, when he was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants. In April 2021, he was traded to the New York Yankees, where he emerged as a dominant reliever. Over three seasons in New York, Peralta made 165 appearances and compiled a 2.82 ERA in 153 innings, parlaying that success into his current deal with San Diego.
Overall, Peralta has pitched 533 career regular-season innings with a 3.75 ERA. He has also made 10 postseason appearances—three with the Padres—recording a 3.18 ERA with 12 strikeouts and one walk over 11.1 innings. Peralta pitched in the postseason for San Diego in 2024 and 2025 but was not on the playoff roster in 2026.