The Padres recently brought back right-hander on a minor league deal, according to his MLB.com profile. This marks a reunion for the 27-year-old, who previously pitched for San Diego during the 2022-23 seasons before spending the last offseason with the Yakult Swallows in Japan.
Espada’s stint in Japan didn’t go as planned, as he posted a 5.00 ERA over 27 relief innings for the Swallows, accompanied by a sharp drop in his strikeout rate to 13.56%. This was a significant decline from the 26.59% strikeout rate he had over 374 career innings in the minors. While his performance with the Swallows’ minor league team was stronger, Espada had already shown his potential in the affiliated minors, including a 2.79 ERA in 19 1/3 innings with the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate in 2023.
Strong showings at the Double-A and Triple-A levels earned Espada a brief MLB debut in 2023. He pitched a scoreless inning in mop-up duty during the Padres’ 12-2 win over the Cardinals on September 24, recording two strikeouts and two walks. That outing marked a highlight in a professional career that began when the Blue Jays drafted him in the fifth round in 2015. Over the years, Espada has also played in the Red Sox system, independent leagues, and with the Swallows.
Known for his ability to miss bats despite occasional control issues, Espada’s drop in strikeouts during his NPB tenure was surprising. Returning to Triple-A El Paso could help him regain his form, while the Padres benefit from adding a familiar and capable depth option for their bullpen.
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