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Pierce Johnson, Craig Stammen returning to Padres in 2022; Kela, Melancon, and Marisnick head to free agency

On Friday, the San Diego Padres announced that they are picking up the club options on Craig Stammen and Pierce Johnson while choosing not to pick up Keone Kela’s and Jake Marisnick’s club option, making them both free agents this winter. Closer Mark Melancon declined his player option, thus making him a free agent as well.

Some Padres updates:
Team exercised options on Pierce Johnson ($3 million) & Craig Stammen ($4 million) and declined options on Keone Kela and Jake Marisnick.

Mark Melancon declined his player option.— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) November 5, 2021

It isn’t a surprise that AJ Preller decided to keep Stammen and Johnson, as both stayed healthy in 2021 and played significant roles in the Padres bullpen staying afloat, to a degree, this season.