The San Diego Padres have signed former Athletics reliever J.B. Wendelken to a league contract, which includes an invitation to spring training, according to Robert Murray.
Wendelken, 31, started his MLB career with the A’s in 2016 and had a strong run from 2018 to 2020. Over those three seasons, he appeared in 61 games, pitching 74 1/3 innings with a 2.30 ERA (3.03 FIP), a 0.955 WHIP, a 9.6 K/9 rate, and a 3.0 BB/9 rate, becoming a dependable bullpen option for Oakland.
However, his performance took a step back in 2021, posting a 4.32 ERA in 25 innings. After being designated for assignment in August to clear space for A.J. Puk, he was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He ended the 2021 season with a 4.34 ERA for Arizona but improved his WHIP, lowering it to 1.29 from 1.68 in Oakland.
Wendelken spent 2022 with the Diamondbacks, recording a 5.28 ERA over 29 innings with a 1.34 WHIP. After being DFA’d midseason and sent to Triple-A Reno, he became a free agent and later signed with the Yokohama BayStars in Japan. There, he thrived, finishing the 2023 season with a 1.67 ERA over 86 innings. He also performed well in the Japan Series, tossing 3 2/3 scoreless postseason innings with just one hit, one walk, and two strikeouts.
Wendelken will provide depth to a Padres bullpen that posted a 3.78 ERA in 2024, ranking 11th in MLB, with an even better 3.60 FIP, third overall. While not currently on the 40-man roster, Wendelken brings 159 2/3 career MLB innings with a 105 ERA+ (slightly above league average). His recent MLB seasons (2021-2022) were less effective, with ERA+ ratings of 98 and 77, respectively.
Wendelken’s role with the Padres will likely depend on injuries or underperformance in the bullpen. If the team can optimize his pitch mix, he could make an impact on the major league roster in 2025.
