Veteran Padres Reliever Reveals Disappointing Injury News

Spring Training is typically a time for optimism as players prepare for the upcoming season and possibilities seem endless.

For some veterans, however, Spring Training can also bring the sad realization that they're no longer able to play the game they love.

Unfortunately, that's what's happened to San Diego Padres reliever Craig Stammen.

San Diego Padres News

Padres beat writer Kevin Acee reported on Sunday that Stammen suffered a setback in his recovery from shoulder surgery and says it's "highly unlikely" that he'll ever pitch again.

This is sad news for the 39-year-old righty, who appears ready to call it a career after 13 MLB seasons. Stammen debuted with the Washington Nationals in 2009 and remained there through 2015. He spent 2016 in the minors with the Cleveland Guardians before signing with San Diego, where he's played the last six seasons.

Stammen suffered a torn rotator cuff in 2022, however, which limited him to 33 appearances -- his fewest in a full season since 2015. The setback he suffered in his shoulder on Friday would require a 4-6-month recovery without surgery, which means he would miss most of the season.

At his age and at this stage in his career, it's understandable that Stammen doesn't want to go through another lengthy rehab process and potentially risk more damage to his shoulder. While he'd probably love one last shot at a World Series ring, his body seems to have had enough.