2 Pitchers To Miss Beginning of Padres Camp, No Timetable For Return Yet
Spring training has officially started for the San Diego Padres.
Pitchers and catchers reported on Sunday, however, two of their relief pitchers have yet to report, and it's unclear when they will.
Padres' beat writer AJ Cassavell reported righty reliever Luis Patiño and newly-signed lefty reliever Wandy Peralta have no timetable to arrive in Arizona due to visa issues.
"Robert Suarez officially reported to Padres camp on Monday, though Wandy Peralta and Luis Patiño remain hung up by visa issues, without a timeline for their arrivals. The rest of San Diego's pitchers and catchers have reported."
Peralta and Patiño are set to play huge roles for the Friars out of the pen this year, but it's not yet known when they'll get to camp.
Peralta signed with San Diego last week on a four-year deal after spending the past three seasons with the New York Yankees.
As for Patiño, the Padres claimed him off waivers just before the new year. He signed with the Padres as an international free agent. He spent three years in the minors before getting his shot in the majors in 2020. At the time, he was the youngest player in the major leagues. The 24-year-old is now back in the brown and gold after stints with the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox.
Visa issues are pretty standard for international players, and the process could take some time. Hopefully, it won't take too long for these two pitchers, as Opening Day will soon be around the corner with the Padres opening their season on March 20 in Korea against the Los Angeles Dodgers.