Matsui Stays With Padres, Forgoes Opt-Out
Japanese reliever Matsui Yuki will remain with San Diego and skip his opt-out clause ahead of an anticipated MLB lockout.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Baseball
Matsui Yuki declined to use his opt-out clause and will remain with the San Diego Padres under his five-year, $28 million contract signed in 2024. The decision keeps the reliever in San Diego as Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement nears expiration.
Why it matters
Matsui's decision removes a high-leverage reliever from the free-agent pool just as a potential lockout looms, which could freeze roster moves across the league. Teams seeking bullpen reinforcements would have shown interest had he entered free agency.
Matsui posted a 1.83 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 64 innings in 54 games this season, earning 5 wins, 1 loss, 1 save and 11 holds. He still has two years and $13.5 million left on his contract, with his $5.75 million salary this season.
The players
Matsui Yuki
Japanese relief pitcher who transitioned into a high-leverage role for the San Diego Padres this season.
San Diego Padres
Major League Baseball franchise based in San Diego that retained Matsui for the remaining two years of his contract.
The details
The Padres announced that Matsui will remain with the club without exercising his opt-out clause. He shifted from middle reliever to a high-leverage role in the second half and pitched 4⅔ scoreless innings across five postseason games.
Timeline
2024: Matsui signs five-year, $28 million contract with San Diego
December 2: MLB collective bargaining agreement expires, with a lockout anticipated
Season Trajectory
Keeping Matsui in the bullpen gives the Padres a proven late-inning arm for the coming season, rather than forcing them to compete for relievers on a market that could stall during a lockout. The move reflects how collective bargaining deadlines are shaping player decisions across the league.
Matsui's 1.83 ERA and late-inning role make him a key piece for San Diego's bullpen, which fantasy managers and roster planners should watch as the Padres head into the offseason. With two years and $13.5 million remaining on his deal, he is set to stay in the bullpen through the lockout window.
The takeaway
Matsui's decision shows players weighing guaranteed contracts against free agency before a lockout, a choice that rewards staying put when the market could freeze. For readers, it signals that roster stability in San Diego may hold steady through the offseason.
What happens next
The MLB collective bargaining agreement expires on December 2, and a lockout is anticipated at that point.
Further reading
Explore more Baseball coverage to see how contract decisions like this one play out around the league.
