Gonzalez gets the call to head to San Diego with Jackson Merrill (hamstring) landing on the injured list. The 27-year-old outfielder hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since getting into 145 games for the Guardians from 2022-2023. He was hitting .290 with three homers and one steal in seven games this season at Triple-A El Paso.

The Padres needed to add Gonzalez to the 40-man roster or risk losing him as an opt out, and since he’s swung the bat well in the spring and to start the year with the Chihuahuas, San Diego did just that. He could be an option for the Padres off the bench at some point.

The Padres signed Oscar Gonzalez in the off-season, and he had a nice spring, going 22-for-55 (.400) with three RBI, 11 strikeouts, and two walks. He has gone just 3-for-18 in Triple-A so far, but the two home runs demonstrate the power potential he possesses and there is a chance he gets a shot with the Padres at some point this season.

No word on whether the contract includes an invite to spring training, but it seems likely. The 26-year-old spent 2024 in the Yankees’ organization and hit .294/.333/.469 in his 286 at-bats with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He’ll need to have a great spring in the Cactus League to make the San Diego roster.