The San Diego Padres have signed right-hander Triston McKenzie to a minor league deal, according to Aram Leighton of Just Baseball. McKenzie, 28, is an intriguing addition to the Padres' organization, despite his recent struggles. He's a free agent after being released by the Cleveland Guardians, where he once showed promise as a potential ace. In 2022, he posted a 2.96 ERA and impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio, but his performance took a downturn in 2023 due to injuries. McKenzie's fastball velocity dropped to 91.1 mph in 2024, and he struggled with a 5.11 ERA over 16 starts. The Guardians designated him for assignment, and he was claimed by the Padres, who see potential in his recovery and development. With a strong bullpen and rotation needs, the Padres are open to McKenzie's potential contributions, whether as a starter or reliever. His modest salary and potential for arbitration make this a low-risk, high-reward move for the team.
