Jason Adam: Everything you need to know

Adam earned a save against the Rockies on Saturday by retiring the only batter he faced. The Padres took a 9-5 lead into the ninth inning, and Bradgley Rodriguez opened that frame on the mound. However, Rodriguez loaded the bases with two outs, and with Mason Miller having pitched three straight days, manager Craig Stammen turned to Adam for the final out. The righty came through by getting Ezequiel Tovar to pop out to second base. This was Adam's second appearance in as many days since being activated from the injured list Friday. He's faced exactly one batter in each outing and has retired both on nine total pitches.

The Padres reinstated Adam (quadriceps) from the injured list Friday. Adam began the season on a rehab assignment at Triple-A El Paso while finishing up his recovery from offseason quad surgery. He made four appearances in the minors, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out one batter across five shutout innings. The 34-year-old righty has turned in a sub-2.00 ERA in each of the past two seasons but will work mostly in a setup role in front of closer Mason Miller. Jeremiah Estrada (elbow) was placed on the 15-day IL in a corresponding move.

Adam (quadriceps) will throw a simulated game Tuesday before making back-to-back rehab appearances with Double-A San Antonio on Friday and Saturday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Making rehab appearances on back-to-back days is typically the final hurdle a pitcher needs to clear before rejoining the major-league roster, so Adam appears set for activation from the 15-day injured list when first eligible April 6. The veteran reliever is getting a late start to the season following surgery last September to repair a ruptured left quadriceps tendon. Adam will work in a setup role in front of closer Mason Miller.