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
Padres Sign Jose Leclerc to Minor-League Deal The San Diego Padres have signed right-handed reliever Jose Leclerc to a minor-league contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The deal comes as Leclerc continues his recovery from right shoulder surgery, though he has recently resumed throwing off the mound and is targeting a season debut by July. The 32-year-old pitcher, who has spent parts of nine major-league seasons with various teams, is expected to contribute to the Padres' bullpen once he is fully healthy. Leclerc’s career statistics include a 13.1 percent walk rate and a 30.8 percent strikeout rate, reflecting his ability to generate swings and misses while occasionally walking batters. However, his return to full strength after shoulder surgery remains uncertain. While there is optimism that his fastball and breaking ball could regain their previous effectiveness, the Padres will likely monitor his progress closely before assigning him a role in high-leverage situations. The signing adds depth to the Padres' minor-league system, providing flexibility as they navigate the challenges of the 2025 season. Leclerc’s potential contribution could be significant if he is able to return to form, though his timeline for readiness is still in flux. The team’s decision to pursue him suggests they believe in his upside despite the risks associated with his injury history. Recent updates indicate that Leclerc has been working through rehabilitation steps, including throwing off the mound, which is a critical milestone in his recovery. While there is no guarantee his velocity or movement will fully rebound, the Padres’ investment in his development highlights their commitment to bolstering their pitching depth.#san_diego_padres #jose_leclerc #new_york_post #minor_league #pitching_depth
