Padres Reunite with Jose Espada on Minor League Deal
The San Diego Padres have signed right-hander Jose Espada to a minor league contract, as noted on Espada’s MLB.com profile page. This marks a reunion for the 27-year-old pitcher, who previously played for the Padres during the 2022-23 seasons before heading to Japan to join the Yakult Swallows.
Espada’s stint in Japan didn’t go as planned, as he struggled to a 5.00 ERA over 27 relief innings for the Swallows. His strikeout rate dropped significantly to 13.56%, a sharp decline from the 26.59% he recorded over 374 innings in the minor leagues. Despite his challenges in the NPB, Espada found more success with the Swallows’ minor league team and had already shown strong performances in affiliated minors. Notably, he posted a 2.79 ERA across 19 1/3 innings with the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate in 2023.
His solid work at the Double-A and Triple-A levels earned Espada a brief MLB debut in 2023, pitching a scoreless inning with two strikeouts and two walks during a 12-2 Padres victory over the Cardinals on September 24. That appearance marked the highlight of a professional career that began when Espada was drafted by the Blue Jays in the fifth round in 2015. Over the years, he’s also spent time in the Red Sox farm system, independent leagues, and now with the Swallows and Padres.
While control issues have been a recurring challenge, Espada’s ability to miss bats has been a hallmark of his game, making his drop in strikeout rate in Japan surprising. Returning to the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate in El Paso could provide an opportunity to rediscover his form. For the Padres, this signing adds a familiar and potentially valuable arm to their bullpen depth.
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