Cease (1-2) took the loss Saturday against the Rays after allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and four walks across 4.1 innings. He struck out six.
The 29-year-old generated 19 whiffs but struggled to put away hitters and was unable to get through the fifth inning after 95 pitches (54 strikes) for the day. It was the third consecutive start in which Cease gave up exactly two earned runs, and he has a 3.60 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB over 15 innings during that span. He hasn't picked up a win since April 2 versus Cleveland but lines up for a favorable matchup in Pittsburgh next weekend.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Allows two runs Sunday
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Cease allowed two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six in five innings Sunday against the Astros. He did not factor into the decision.
Cease held the Astros scoreless through four innings while escaping run-scoring threats in both the third and fourth. He was unable to do the same in the fifth, however, as the Astros opened up with a double and two singles and plated a second run on a sacrifice. Cease was able to complete the outing without allowing a single barrel and has only allowed two homers through five starts thus far. He lines up for a home start versus the Rays over the weekend.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Ends up with no-decision Monday
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Cease allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out six batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Monday.
Cease tossed three scoreless frames before serving up three runs -- including two on a homer by Michael Busch -- in the fourth. The right-handed hurler departed with two outs in the sixth facing a two-run deficit, but the Padres rallied to pull out the win. Though San Diego is off to a blazing hot 14-3 beginning of the campaign, Cease has yet to fully find his groove, as he's recorded a 6.64 ERA and 1.52 WHIP through 20.1 innings. On a more positive note, he's given up three or fewer runs in three of his four starts, and his overall poor numbers so far are mostly the result of a nine-run, four-inning start against the Athletics on April 8.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Ambushed by A's
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Cease (1-1) took the loss Tuesday, surrendering nine runs on nine hits and three walks over four innings as the Padres were downed 10-4 by the A's. He struck out four.
The nine runs represented a career-worst performance for Cease, with six of them coming in the first inning as the A's sent 10 men to the plate. The right-hander has failed to last five innings in two of his first three starts this season, leaving him saddled with a 7.98 ERA through 14.2 frames despite an 18:6 K:BB. Cease will try to chip away at his ratios in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Cubs.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Captures first win
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Cease (1-0) earned the win Wednesday against Cleveland, surrendering one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out seven batters across 6.1 innings.
Cease took a shutout into the seventh inning but was pulled after a Lane Thomas groundout plated a run for the Guardians. Cease's dominant showing, combined with a four-run third inning from the Padres' offense, allowed the 29-year-old righty to take home his first win of the new season fairly comfortably. He'll look to stay hot next week when he faces the Athletics on the road.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Fans seven in no-decision
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Cease didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 win over Atlanta, giving up three runs on four hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out seven.
The right-hander exited after 91 pitches (63 strikes) and dominated at times, striking out six of seven batters between a first-inning double by Austin Riley and a third-inning single by former teammate Jurickson Profar. Cease lost focus after that, however, walking the next two batters in the third and running up his pitch count. It was overall a promising beginning to the campaign for the NL Cy Young candidate despite the lack of length, and Cease lines up to face the Guardians at home in his next start.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Shines again in final spring outing
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Cease pitched 5.2 scoreless innings in a Cactus League game against Cincinnati on Saturday, allowing two hits and striking out nine batters without issuing any walks.
Cease was dominant in the outing, as he induced 18 whiffs on 74 pitches and topped out at 99 mph on the radar gun. The veteran righty finished his spring in superb form, tossing 10 scoreless frames and striking out 17 batters over his final two starts. Michael King has been named the Opening Day starter for San Diego, so Cease will pitch in the team's second contest of the regular season, which will take place Friday, March 28 at home against Atlanta.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Dominant in spring outing
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Cease pitched 4.1 scoreless innings in a Cactus League start against the Angels on Sunday, allowing three hits and issuing three walks while striking out eight batters.
Cease looked great in his fourth start this spring, and he was able to push his pitch count to 78. The right-hander has had an up-and-down spring, but he's been fine overall with a 4.61 ERA and 17:6 K:BB over 13.2 frames. The Padres are expected to name their Opening Day starter Monday, per Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan, and it would be a mild surprise if Cease's name isn't called for the assignment.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Yields four runs in spring start
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Cease completed 3.2 innings against the White Sox in a Cactus League game Tuesday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four batters.
In his third start this spring, Cease retired the side in order in three of the four frames in which he pitched. However, the right-hander's line was marred by a poor second inning during which Chicago racked up four hits -- including two doubles -- and a walk to push four runs across the plate. Cease was lifted with two outs in the frame, but under spring-training rules he was allowed to return to the game in the following inning. Cease worked up to 64 pitches in the start, and he appears to be progressing well toward the regular season.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: First spring start coming Friday
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Padres manager Mike Shildt said Cease will make his first Cactus League start Friday versus the Mariners, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Through their first seven Cactus League games, the Padres haven't used any of their presumed four locks for the season-opening rotation, but that streak will end Friday when Cease takes the mound. The right-hander is likely the leading candidate to get the Opening Day nod for the Padres after he submitted a 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 224:65 K:BB in 189.1 regular-season innings during his inaugural campaign in San Diego in 2024. Though Cease's name has popped up in trade rumors this offseason amid an ownership shakeup in San Diego, a move elsewhere doesn't appear imminent and may not be revisited until closer to the trade deadline.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Making $13.75 million in 2025
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Cease agreed to a one-year, $13.75 million contract with the Padres on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Cease will receive a raise of almost $6 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility. The 29-year-old posted a 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 224:65 K:BB over 189.1 innings during the regular season and is now entering a contract year.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Confirmed for Game 4
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Cease will start Wednesday in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Cease had a hard time keeping the Dodgers' bats quiet during a loss in Game 1 on Saturday, giving up five earned runs on six hits and two walks over just 3.1 innings. The 28-year-old righty had better luck against Los Angeles during the regular season, turning in a 3.37 ERA across 10.2 frames, so a bounce-back performance Wednesday isn't out of the question.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Game 4 on short rest possible
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Padres manager Mike Shildt on Monday didn't dismiss the possibility of Cease starting Wednesday in Game 4 of the NLDS versus the Dodgers on short rest, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Martin Perez was added to the roster as an injury replacement for Joe Musgrove (elbow) and would seem to be the other logical option for a Game 4 start. Whether the Padres win Game 3 could factor into Shildt's decision. If the Padres do opt for Cease on three days' rest in Game 4, they could turn back to Yu Darvish on normal rest for a potential Game 5.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Getting NLDS Game 1 start
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Cease will start Saturday in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
After not being needed in the two-game sweep of Atlanta in the wild-card round, Cease was an easy call to take the ball in the NLDS opener. The righty collected a 3.47 ERA and 224:65 K:BB across 189.1 innings covering 33 starts this season for the Padres. Cease will be opposed by Jack Flaherty.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Uninspiring performance in loss
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Cease (12-11) took the loss against the Giants on Saturday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks over six innings while striking out four.
Cease allowed at least one hit in each of his first four innings on the mound, including a three-run shot off the bat of Grant McCray in the top of the second as the Giants took an early lead. The right-hander also failed to retire each of the first three batters he faced in the fourth, leading to a fourth run coming home for San Francisco. Cease did still manage to make it through six innings for only the second time in his last eight starts (with one of those eight starts being shortened due to a rain delay), though he's now surrendered multiple free passes in three straight. It also marked his third loss in his last four decisions (spanning six starts).
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Control issues in no-decision
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Cease came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Cardinals, giving up four runs on seven hits and four walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out four and threw three wild pitches.
The right-hander got only 52 of his 96 pitches in the strike zone as he issued three or more free passes for the fourth time in his last seven starts. Over that stretch, Cease has maintained a 2.92 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 38:18 K:BB in 37 innings, though he hasn't produced a single double-digit strikeout performance in that span. He'll look to get back in the win column in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in Tampa Bay.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Doesn't return after rain delay
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Cease didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Pirates, striking out two and allowing one hit in a scoreless inning.
Cease made quick work of the Pirates in the first inning, working around a Rowdy Tellez two-out double. However, the game would then be delayed for nearly three hours before the bottom of the second, forcing San Diego to go to the bullpen. Cease has been excellent of late, allowing just one earned run in his last 28.2 innings. Overall, he's 11-8 with a 3.40 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 176:43 K:BB in 24 starts this year. Cease currently lines up for a road matchup with the Marlins this weekend, though he could appear sooner, as the right-hander should be well rested after throwing just 14 pitches Tuesday.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Earns 11th win
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Cease (11-8) allowed a run on three hits and three walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings to earn the win over the Dodgers on Wednesday.
Cease's chance at consecutive no-hitters didn't get far, as he allowed a single to Jason Heyward in the second inning. The Dodgers didn't get much more out of him aside from Gavin Lux's RBI double in the third inning, and the Padres gave their ace plenty of run support. Cease has allowed just four runs over his last 34.2 innings, posting a 44:11 K:BB in that span while winning four straight. For the year, he's at a 3.42 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP and 174:43 K:BB through 136.2 innings spanning 23 starts. Cease is projected to make his next start at Pittsburgh.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Tosses no-hitter against Washington
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Cease (10-8) pitched a no-hitter, striking out nine batters and walking three without giving up a run, to earn the win against the Nationals on Thursday.
The no-hitter was the first of Cease's career, though he came within one out of accomplishing the feat in September of 2022 before current teammate Luis Arraez broke up the bid. The right-hander needed 114 pitches to finish off the historic effort Thursday, and he was nearly pulled after seven frames before talking manager Mike Shildt into remaining in the contest, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Remarkably, this was Cease's sixth outing of at least six frames and one or zero hits this season, and he's met those marks in each of his past three starts, allowing a combined two hits and no runs while posting a 30:7 K:BB over 22 frames during that span. Thursday's no-hitter was the second in Padres history; the other was tossed by Joe Musgrove in April of 2021.
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Padres' Dylan Cease: Dominant in Saturday's win
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Cease (9-8) allowed one hit and one walk while striking out 10 over seven shutout innings to earn the win Saturday over the Guardians.
In three of his last five starts, Cease has delivered one-hit ball, though this was arguably his most dominant outing of the season. It was also his fourth start of the year with double-digit strikeouts. Cease is now at a 3.76 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 159:37 K:BB through 122 innings over 21 starts. He's projected for a road start versus Washington next week, though that could become a more challenging assignment at Baltimore if the Padres opt to call up a fifth starter for their first time through the rotation after the All-Star break.
