The San Diego Padres released veteran left-hander Marco Gonzales from his minor league contract on Wednesday, ending a comeback attempt that began with a late-January signing and stretched into 13 appearances for Triple-A El Paso.
On Wednesday, the San Diego Padres made it official: veteran left-hander Marco Gonzales was released from his minor league contract after spending more than four months in the organization.
For Gonzales. it was a closing chapter on a return he’d hoped would finally stabilize after a long. injury-heavy stretch. The 34-year-old signed with San Diego in late January and entered spring training as a candidate for the back end of the Padres’ rotation. Instead, he opened the 2026 season with Triple-A El Paso and never fully settled in with the Chihuahuas.
In 13 appearances for El Paso—12 of them starts—Gonzales posted a 7.99 ERA across 47.1 innings. He struck out 36 batters while walking 18, and opposing hitters batted .373 against him. His WHIP finished at 2.03. Four separate starts included six or more runs surrendered.
His final outing with El Paso came on Saturday, and it offered a rare glimpse of efficiency. Gonzales allowed three runs—only one earned—over four innings. He gave up a season-low three hits, striking out two and walking one.
Gonzales hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2024. That year. injuries limited him during his only season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. where he made seven starts and logged a 4.54 ERA over 33.2 innings. After multiple stints on the injured list because of a forearm issue. Gonzales underwent flexor tendon surgery in September 2024 and missed the entire 2025 season while recovering.
Before joining Pittsburgh, Gonzales spent the majority of his career with the Seattle Mariners. Across parts of seven seasons in Seattle, he posted a 4.08 ERA over 852.1 innings. His overall major league résumé includes a 4.16 career ERA across 926.2 innings, appearing in 170 games with 162 starts. He also made six postseason appearances with the St. Louis Cardinals during the 2014 campaign, after being a former first-round draft pick.
Now, Gonzales returns to free agency following an unsuccessful comeback attempt after his lengthy recovery from flexor tendon surgery.
The Padres’ decision leaves one clear story behind: a veteran left-hander given another runway in late January, but one that ended after the results in Triple-A didn’t allow him to recapture the role he was chasing.
San Diego Padres Marco Gonzales MLB news released minor league contract El Paso Chihuahuas Triple-A left-hander free agency
So basically he’s cooked. Padres love signing guys that can’t throw anymore.
Wait he was on the Pirates for a second right? Like injury stuff and then back again. Kinda wild he still got a shot after all that.
That ERA is like… almost 8 right? I don’t care what they say, that’s not a back-end rotation guy. Also 2024 he didn’t do great either so why even keep him in the minors that long.
Flexor tendon surgery in 2024 and then back in 2026? I feel like he should’ve retired or something earlier. But then again, Padres probably thought he’d magically heal. Also El Paso always seems brutal for pitchers, so maybe it’s just that stadium or the league or whatever.