Padres Bring Back Reliever as Free Agency Gets Underway

He was signed to a minor league deal Friday.

The offseason is upon us and for a team that will likely lose key arms in Blake Snell, Josh Hader and Nick Martinez, pitching will be a focus for the San Diego Padres.

In a move that certainly won't replace the elite pitchers that might leave in free agency, the Padres re-signed right-handed pitcher Drew Carlton to a minor league deal after he spent the 2023 season in the minor leagues with the team.

Carlton had 11 relief appearances last season but right elbow inflammation put him on the injured list in July and he did not make another appearance for the remainder of the season. He held a 4.35 ERA and a 21.2 percent strikeout rate.

In Triple-A, Carlton made 15 appearances last season, going 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA. He also had 21 strikeouts and allowed just one home run across 18 innings pitched.

The 28-year-old began his career as a member of the Detroit Tigers and was added to the Padres' roster in May. He will likely be invited to Spring Training and will have a chance to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster.