Rehabbing Adam helps with Padres' Thanksgiving turkey distribution

SAN DIEGO -- Jason Adam is on the mend from his ruptured quadriceps tendon, nearly three months out from surgery, out of his leg brace and fully tackling his rehab.

On Saturday, the Padres' right-hander was back at Petco Park again for another day of physical activity -- distributing dozens of turkeys and Thanksgiving sides to underprivileged families in the San Diego area.

“It’s a blast, whatever they need me to do,” Adam said. “If I’ve got to throw some turkeys around, I’ll throw some turkeys around. … All part of the rehab.”

Adam and a handful of Padres volunteers spent Saturday morning distributing turkeys, fresh produce and traditional sides to 1,000 underserved families identified by 25 San Diego charities. Among the charities involved in identifying the underprivileged families were the Jackie Robinson YMCA, Boys & Girls Club of Greater San Diego and South Bay Community Services.

The event, in partnership with Bank of America and the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, kicked off one of the busiest months on the calendar for the Padres' involvement in the community. In the days following Thanksgiving, they will presumably unveil their holiday giving plans as well -- events that take place across the city and county with all manner of charitable organizations.

“I love it,” Adam said. “We saw it early in our time with the Padres. They’re proactive about finding ways to give back to the community. I think they realize how much the community means to the team’s success and just everything. They want to give back to that. It’s an organization of people who are obviously talented and smart, baseball-wise, but who are also really caring and kind and want to serve people.”

Saturday’s turkey giveaway was just the start. Quite a start, too. Cars pulled into the parking lots outside Petco Park, where they were promptly loaded with all the items needed for a full Thanksgiving feast.

Adam, a Roberto Clemente Award nominee with Tampa Bay for his work in the community, has continued his charitable efforts since his arrival in San Diego.

“I’ve just been so fortunate in my life, been given so much, so you feel a responsibility and just a joy to be able to extend some of that to other people,” Adam said. “And even specifically by the city, my family has only been here a year and a half, and we feel like we’ve been given so much by the city. So to get to be here in the city, giving back, it’s always a special opportunity.

“And then, the holiday season is a time that’s filled with so much joy and excitement for a lot of people. It’s probably a really stressful time for other people. Anything you can do to relieve any of that, it’s just a gift to be able to be a part of. And the Padres do a great job giving us those opportunities.”

Adam’s 2025 campaign came to an early end when he went down with a season-ending leg injury while fielding a ground ball on Sept. 1. It was later revealed that he ruptured his left quadriceps tendon. He would undergo surgery a couple days later. That recovery, the Padres say, comes with a six-to-nine-month timetable.

Opening Day is at the early end of that recovery window. It’s a target for Adam to shoot for, though it’s impossible to say where he stands in the process just yet. He expects to resume throwing at some point in the coming weeks. The Padres, who figure to boast one of the best bullpens in the sport, aren’t likely to rush Adam back. But he’s clearly pleased with his progress.

“I’m thrilled with the recovery,” Adam said. “It’s a game of small victories. Just trying to stack those on top of each other. But the knee feels great. Out of the brace. Lifting. In the process of getting strength back. It’s coming. I feel very confident and thankful for where we’re at.”