Michel

Baez

Baez signed with the Padres out of Cuba in 2016 and quickly rose to top-50 prospect status before his MLB career flamed out. The 29-year-old right-hander is set for his second season in the Mexican League. Baez hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2022.

Baez was a notable pitching prospect for the Padres a few years ago, but his once-promising career has been derailed by injury and ineffectiveness. The 27-year-old righty has made just 29 relief appearances (two starts) for San Diego dating back to 2019. He hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2022.

Baez went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment last week by the Padres. The 27-year-old righty, who was an interesting pitching prospect several years ago, is now off San Diego’s 40-man roster. He made just a pair of relief appearances last year in the majors.

Baez was an intriguing pitching prospect a few years ago with the Padres, but has never quite put it all together at the highest level. It’s possible he’ll generate some interest on waivers in the coming days.

Baez was among a handful of cuts from Padres’ camp on Friday and will open the regular season as organizational pitching depth at Triple-A El Paso.

Baez made a relief appearance in the first half of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Rockies and likely wouldn’t have been available for the nightcap. Tayler Scott will fill the vacant bullpen spot.

The 26-year-old right-hander registered a 2.93 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 39/9 K/BB ratio over 30 2/3 innings in 23 appearances across three minor league levels. He had been sidelined since undergoing Tommy John surgery last March.

Baez will remain at San Antonio for now as he continues to knock some rust off following a long road back from Tommy John surgery. The tall right-hander holds a 2.51 ERA and 15/4 K/BB ratio over 14 1/3 rehab innings to this point.

Baez tossed a pair of scoreless innings Saturday in his rehab assignment debut for Single-A Lake Elsinore. The 26-year-old righty didn’t allow a baserunner and notched one strikeout. He hasn’t appeared in the majors since August 29, 2020 due to injuries. He underwent Tommy John elbow reconstructive surgery last March.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Luke Voit. Baez is out until midseason as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery.