Adam (shoulder) could rejoin Padres' bullpen Wednesday

LOS ANGELES -- The Padres’ bullpen has been, arguably, the best in the Majors this season, and with the postseason looming, it might soon get even better.

Right-hander Jason Adam threw a live batting practice at Petco Park on Monday and joined the team in Los Angeles. He could be activated ahead of the middle game of San Diego’s three-game series against the Dodgers on Wednesday.

“More than ready -- I feel 100% ready,” Adam said on Tuesday.

Adam has missed nearly three months with a right shoulder strain. He’d posted a 2.51 ERA in 36 appearances prior to his injury. With Mason Miller entrenched in the closer role and Adrian Morejon as his primary setup man, Adam figures to fill a role getting the ball to those two at the back end of the bullpen.

“What this team’s doing is really special,” Adam said. “So I just want to fill my role, however that looks, and help them win ballgames. We’ve seen pretty well that this team is good with or without me. I just want to do my part to contribute.”

Adam made three rehab appearances with Triple-A El Paso, two of which went especially poorly. He allowed five runs without recording an out last Wednesday, then allowed four runs while recording one out on Thursday.

The Padres and Adam insisted those lines were perhaps inflated by the hitter-friendly environment in El Paso, along with a bit of batted-ball luck. But just to make sure, Adam threw a simulated inning on Monday at Petco Park where he faced big league competition in Gavin Sheets and Miguel Andujar, who are both rehabbing injuries of their own.

“I felt great,” Adam said. “Stuff was really good. Coming out of the hand good. So I’m really pleased with where I’m at. … It reinforced my belief that I’m ready.”

It’s possible Adam could have some workload limitations upon his return. But manager Craig Stammen noted that Adam would likely be available to pitch back-to-back games when he’s activated.

One area worth monitoring: Adam’s strikeout rate is down significantly this season, even if he’s been able to keep his ERA low. He’s generated plenty of weak contact, but without punching hitters out at the same clip.

As such, Adam is more at the mercy of batted-ball luck. (Which seemed to be the case when he pitched for El Paso.) It stands to reason the Padres might then give Adam fewer high-leverage spots than they had in the past -- at least until they see how his stuff is playing.

Still, he’s almost certainly going to contribute in a meaningful way down the stretch and into the postseason, if the Padres get there.

Of course, last year, Adam missed the playoffs when he ruptured his quadriceps tendon in September. Which makes him especially eager to return in the coming days.

“You can’t take any days in the big leagues for granted, especially playoff games,” Adam said. “You never know when your next chance might be. So you want to be a part of that. That’s why we play 162 games -- is for the chance at the playoffs and to win a World Series. So I want to be a part of that, obviously, as much as possible.”