The San Diego Padres are taking a calculated flyer on former Cleveland Guardians standout Triston McKenzie. They’ve signed the right-hander to a minor league deal with an invite to major league spring training.
It’s a classic low-risk, high-upside play. Not long ago, McKenzie looked like a budding frontline starter before injuries and lost velocity got in his way.
Padres Bet on Triston McKenzie’s Bounce-Back Potential
Now 28, McKenzie joins a new organization for the first time in his pro career. After years of development and flashes of brilliance in Cleveland, he heads to San Diego hoping to reset and prove he can still matter in the big leagues.
The Padres aren’t counting on immediate results. They’re looking for upside—if McKenzie even partially rebounds, this could end up a sneaky good move.
From Emerging Ace to Medical Chart Concern
A few seasons ago, McKenzie looked ready to lead a rotation. In 2022, he put together the kind of year that gets noticed, mixing durability, dominance, and command.
That year, McKenzie logged 191 1/3 innings with a strong 2.96 ERA. He struck out hitters, threw strikes, and pitched deep into games, using a lively fastball and a sharp breaking ball.
In 2023, everything changed. A teres major strain in his shoulder cost him a big chunk of time, and then a UCL sprain raised concerns about his elbow.
He dodged surgery, but the injuries broke up his rhythm. Since then, he hasn’t really gotten back on track.
Velocity Dip and Performance Slide in 2024
When McKenzie returned in 2024, he wasn’t the same. His fastball velocity dipped, which is always worrying for a guy who lives up in the zone and relies on deception.
The numbers told the story. In 16 major league starts, McKenzie posted a 5.11 ERA, struggled to miss bats, and often fought his mechanics.
His command, once a strength, got shaky. He became vulnerable when he fell behind in counts.
After Cleveland sent him to Triple-A late in the year, the struggles didn’t stop. He put up a 5.23 ERA and kept battling control problems.
What used to look like a polished, poised arm suddenly seemed like a project.
Guardians Move On, Padres Step In
Despite the downturn, Cleveland hung onto some hope for McKenzie. He entered 2025 out of minor league options but stayed through arbitration, a hint the team still wanted one more shot.
That shot didn’t go well. Used in relief, McKenzie gave up seven runs, and the Guardians designated him for assignment.
He cleared waivers unclaimed. That’s a tough reality check for any pitcher when health and results both go south.
Complex League Rebuild and Mixed Results
After clearing waivers, McKenzie’s year turned into a reset tour. He worked in the Complex League and Triple-A, trying to fix his mechanics, put some life back into his fastball, and get the feel for his pitches again.
The results? Honestly, they were mixed. Sometimes the command came back and the breaking ball looked sharp, but he couldn’t string it together long enough to force his way back to Cleveland.
What the McKenzie Deal Means for San Diego
This is exactly the sort of low-cost pitching flyer contending teams should take. The Padres only have a modest financial commitment and no roster guarantee, but if things click, they could get a mid-rotation starter or an impact reliever.
San Diego hasn’t said what role McKenzie will get. That’s intentional, and it makes sense—his path back could go a couple different ways:
Low-Risk Flyer with Real Upside
San Diego just needs any kind of contribution at this point, honestly. With his recent struggles, even a small impact at the big league level would feel like a win.
The Padres are basically grabbing a lottery ticket here. McKenzie’s 28, and we’ve all seen him dominate major league hitters when he’s actually on.
If he can recapture even a bit of that 2022 magic, then the Padres might snag some real value off a minor league deal. If things don’t work out, well, the cost stays low and everyone walks away.
Here is the source article for this story: Padres To Sign Triston McKenzie To Minor League Deal
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