The Padres have added another arm to their pitching mix, agreeing to terms with right-hander Ryan Weiss on a one-year deal that includes a 2028 option year.
Weiss arrives in San Diego after a rough return to affiliated baseball in 2026, a season that began with the Houston Astros giving him a shot on a one-year, $2.6 million contract with a $5 million option for 2027. That move didn’t last long. Houston cut bait in June after Weiss put up a 7.62 ERA across just nine big league appearances and was designated for assignment.
The 29-year-old’s work in Triple-A was better, though still uneven overall. With the Sugar Land Skeeters, he logged a 5.42 ERA in 22 games, including 13 starts, before electing free agency in October.
That didn’t keep clubs away for long. Jesse Rogers of ESPN reported that Weiss “had interest around the league” and also had a chance to return to the KBO, where he spent the previous two seasons before coming back to the United States.
His finish with Sugar Land may have helped reopen some doors. In four September outings, Weiss allowed three runs over 19.2 innings for a 1.37 ERA, with four walks and 24 strikeouts. He also held hitters to a .229/.289/.271 line and did not give up a home run.
For San Diego, the appeal is straightforward. With several key starters and relievers potentially headed for free agency, Weiss gives the Padres another option who can cover multiple roles.
He doesn’t need to be a headline addition to matter. If he can work as a swingman, serve as a lower-cost and healthier alternative to Jason Adam, or even step into a No. 5 starter role, he could still fill an important spot on the depth chart.
The real question is whether the late-season version of Weiss is the one the Padres get next time around.
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