The San Diego Padres are in the midst of a huge three-game set with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where they are attempting to salvage the series on Sunday.
Another notable transaction took place on Sunday as well. The Padres released right-handed pitcher Luis Patino, who used to be a top pitching prospect in the organization. Patino signed a minor league deal back in January and had only seen time this season in the minors.
Patino hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2023
The last time Luis Patino was seen in the majors was in 2023 with the Chicago White Sox. He made his MLB debut in 2020 with the Padres. In 21.2 innings pitched in 2023, he posted a 4.57 ERA. In 2020, with San Diego, he had a 5.19 ERA in 17 innings.
Patino has given up his fair share of runs, but one of his biggest problems at the big league level was issuing free passes. In 136.1 big league innings, he has given up 70 walks. He also underwent Tommy John Surgery in the Spring of the 2024 season, and his velocity and spin rate numbers must have just not returned to where they were before the injury.
It will now be up to the other 29 MLB organizations if they want to take a chance on the once former top prospect. Teams that need low-dollar arms may be willing to take a flyer on him, but there’s a minuscule chance that a contending team will pick him up on anything other than a minor league deal.
