Padres Release Veteran Pitcher Marco Gonzales After Tough Minor League Stint

The San Diego Padres have moved on from veteran pitcher Marco Gonzales, releasing the left-hander from his minor league contract after more than four months with the organization. The decision ends an attempt by Gonzales to return to form following a lengthy injury recovery.

Gonzales signed with San Diego in January with hopes of competing for a rotation opportunity. The veteran entered spring training as a possible depth option who could provide experience and stability for a pitching staff looking for reliable arms.

Instead, the 2026 season became a difficult one for Gonzales. He began the year with Triple-A El Paso and struggled to find consistency while facing younger hitters and trying to regain his previous form.

The release marks another setback for a pitcher who has enjoyed a long major league career. Once viewed as a dependable starter, Gonzales has spent recent seasons battling injuries that have limited his availability and affected his performance.

1. Struggles In Triple-A Lead To Padres Decision

Gonzales’ time with the El Paso Chihuahuas did not go as planned. Over 13 appearances, including 12 starts, the veteran recorded a 7.99 ERA across 47.1 innings, struggling to prevent opposing offenses from producing consistent damage. His command and ability to limit baserunners became major challenges. Gonzales finished with 36 strikeouts and 18 walks while allowing hitters to bat .373 against him, resulting in a WHIP of 2.03. The left-hander also experienced several difficult outings throughout the season. He surrendered six or more runs in four different starts, making it difficult for the Padres to view him as a reliable option for potential major league help. His final appearance with El Paso showed some improvement, however. Gonzales allowed three runs over four innings, with only one being earned, while giving up just three hits and recording two strikeouts.

2. A Veteran Career Impacted By Injuries

Before joining the Padres, Gonzales had built a respectable major league career. The former first-round selection of the St. Louis Cardinals developed into a dependable starter capable of handling a significant workload. His most consistent stretch came with the Seattle Mariners, where he spent the majority of his career. Over seven seasons in Seattle, Gonzales posted a 4.08 ERA across 852.1 innings while becoming a regular member of the rotation. Overall, Gonzales has recorded a 4.16 career ERA in 926.2 major league innings. He has appeared in 170 games, including 162 starts, showing the durability and experience that made him attractive to teams during his prime years. He also gained postseason experience earlier in his career. During the 2014 season with St. Louis, Gonzales appeared in six playoff games, adding valuable experience during the Cardinals’ postseason run.

3. Comeback Attempt Ends After Long Recovery

The biggest obstacle in Gonzales’ recent career has been staying healthy. His final major league appearance came in 2024 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he made seven starts and posted a 4.54 ERA over 33.2 innings. That season was interrupted by injury issues, particularly a forearm problem that eventually required flexor tendon surgery in September 2024. The procedure forced Gonzales to miss the entire 2025 season while recovering. The Padres provided him with an opportunity to restart his career, but the results did not match expectations. Returning from such a serious injury proved challenging, and the organization ultimately decided to move in another direction. Now back on the free-agent market, Gonzales will look for another chance to continue his career. His experience, past success, and veteran presence could still attract interest from teams seeking pitching depth.