Padres Place Lucas Giolito on Injured List with Elbow Inflammation The San Diego Padres placed right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito on the 15-day injured list on June 22 with right elbow inflammation, recalling left-handed reliever JP Sears to fill his roster spot. The decision comes amid concerns about Giolito’s recent performance and lingering questions about his health. The Padres did not specify the severity of the injury or Giolito’s expected timeline for return, but his history of elbow issues raises alarms. Giolito missed the entire 2024 season recovering from internal brace surgery and returned to the Red Sox in 2025, where he posted a 3.41 ERA over 145 innings. However, his season was marked by subpar strikeout rates, a reliance on luck, and struggles with baserunning. Giolito’s performance with the Padres has been even more troubling. After being signed in late April, he was optioned to the minors to build up his workload. He made seven appearances for the Padres in May and June, posting a 5.16 ERA. His strikeout rate plummeted to 13% of batters faced, far below his previous career averages, while his walk rate surged to 16.7%. His velocity has also dropped significantly, with his four-seamer averaging 90.8 mph this season—down from 93.3 mph in 2025. His other pitches have also lost velocity, with drops of two to three miles per hour. The Padres’ rotation has struggled this season, with a collective 4.54 ERA ranking near the bottom of the majors. While Michael King and Walker Buehler have shown promise, Griffin Canning’s 6.64 ERA and Randy Vásquez’s recent 5.10 ERA over 12 outings have further complicated matters. Giolito’s absence adds pressure to an already fragile rotation.#san_diego_padres #all_star_break #aj_preller #lucas_giolito #jp_sears
Padres GM Says Yu Darvish Will Rehab at Own Pace Yu Darvish is starting the 2026 season on the San Diego Padres’ restricted list as the veteran right-hander prioritizes a gradual recovery from elbow surgery while evaluating his future with the team, according to general manager A.J. Preller. The decision, which places Darvish on a modified schedule, reflects his desire to balance his health and family commitments with the demands of professional baseball. Preller emphasized that Darvish’s approach benefits both the team and its fans, though it does not guarantee additional financial flexibility for acquiring new pitching talent. Preller praised Darvish’s choice, calling him a “very special person” and highlighting his commitment to the organization’s interests. The 39-year-old Japanese star, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015, has opted to avoid the typical rehabilitation grind in San Diego, instead focusing on spending time with his family. While he is not ready to retire, Darvish remains uncertain about whether he can return to his previous level of performance after a second major elbow surgery. Preller noted that Darvish has been transparent about his situation since the offseason, acknowledging that his current physical condition does not align with his desired level of play. The Padres’ decision to place Darvish on the restricted list was planned during the offseason, with discussions finalized in recent weeks involving the commissioner’s office and the players’ union. As part of the arrangement, Darvish will not receive his salary while on the list—a condition few major leaguers would accept voluntarily.#san_diego_padres #aj_preller #tommy_john_surgery #nick_pivetta #yu_darvish
Padres Signing Veteran Reliever Days Before Opening Day in Exciting Move The San Diego Padres have signed veteran reliever José Leclerc to a minor league deal, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The move was first reported by MLB insider Mike Rodriguez, who noted the two sides were close to reaching an agreement. Leclerc, a right-handed pitcher from the Dominican Republic, is expected to join the Padres' organization after recovering from a lat muscle strain that ended his 2024 season with the Athletics. Leclerc, 32, appeared in 10 games for the Athletics last season, posting a 6.00 ERA across nine innings. Over his nine-year MLB career, he has maintained a solid 3.34 ERA in 360 appearances. The right-hander made his major league debut in 2016 with the Texas Rangers, where he became a key reliever. His career highlights include a 1.56 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 57.2 innings during his breakout 2018 season. However, his performance dipped in 2019, when he posted a 4.33 ERA, followed by a Tommy John surgery in 2021. After recovering from the injury, Leclerc rebounded with a 2.83 ERA in 2022 and a 2.68 ERA in 2023. Despite this resurgence, he struggled in 2024, which marked his final season with the Rangers. The following offseason, Leclerc signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Athletics, but was shut down after just 10 games due to a lat strain requiring season-ending surgery. The Padres’ decision to sign Leclerc to a minor league deal reflects their cautious approach to adding depth to their already formidable bullpen. The team already boasts one of the best relief units in MLB, but general manager AJ Preller has consistently emphasized the value of having additional pitching options. Leclerc will begin his tenure in the minors, working with the Padres’ coaching staff to regain his form.#mlb #san_diego_padres #jose_leclerc #new_york_post #aj_preller
