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The San Diego Padres released a veteran outfielder

The San Diego Padres did not have the resources available this offseason to spend on high-priced free agents or retain some of their own players. As a result, the Padres lost three-time batting title winner Luis Arraez, All-Star closer Robert Suarez and starting pitcher Dylan Cease.

Those three players signed for over $12 million per season. Meanwhile, San Diego signed designated hitter Miguel Andújar to a $4 million contract, Nick Castellanos to less than $1 million, Ty France to a minor-league contract, and Alex Verdugo to a minor-league contract.

The first three additions have paid off at different times this season for the San Diego Padres. However, Verdugo has been unable to contribute to San Diego and a new report states that the team has cut ties with the veteran outfielder.

San Diego Padres Release Alex Verdugo

The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee posted on X: Outfielder Alex Verdugo has a shoulder injury that is expected to keep him out the rest of the season and require surgery. 

He has been released by the Padres.

After signing a minor-league deal in March, he did not appear in any games for any affiliate.

Verdugo, who had previously been a major piece in the Mookie Betts trade, played for the Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees and Braves before joining San Diego. 

At the time Verdugo was signed to the Padres, MLB’s AJ Cassavell wrote:

“Verdugo, who will turn 30 in May, batted .239 with a .585 OPS in 56 games with Atlanta last year. Across parts of nine seasons with the Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees and Braves, the lefty-hitting Verdugo has recorded a .270/.326/.406 slash line with 70 career home runs.

It’s a low-risk depth addition for the Padres, who, barring injury, don’t have room on their big league roster for another corner outfielder. But if Verdugo can hit in the Minors, he could work his way into contention for a callup in the event of an injury.”

Unfortunately for the Padres and Verdugo, the move did not pay off as injury prevented him from any possible contribution during the 2025 season.

Padres Notes

In other Padres news, they received a positive update on free agent addition Lucas Giolito, who had his best rehab start to date as he gets set to join the major league roster.

Regarding his latest outing, Steve Drumwright wrote for PadresMission:

“San Diego Padres right-handed starter Lucas Giolito, in what is likely to be his final tuneup before joining the major-league rotation, allowed one run on three hits with no walks and three strikeouts in six innings.  He threw 74 pitches, 52 for strikes. In four starts since signing a one-year contract April 22, Giolito has thrown 17 innings, allowing 11 runs (nine earned) on 18 hits with six walks and 15 strikeouts. He has a clause in his contract that requires him to be added to the MLB roster by Saturday.”

The most likely candidate to be demoted from the Padres rotation appears to be right-handed  pitcher Matt Waldron, as San Diego has now used Bradgley Rodriguez as an opener for him in back-to-back appearances.