Padres sign Aaron Loup, move Garrett Richards to 60-day IL

Padres pitchers and catchers were due to report to Spring Training last Wednesday, but a new face arrived at camp just this morning. The team agreed to terms with 31-year-old southpaw Aaron Loup, who will hopefully help fill the lefty void in the bullpen this upcoming season. It’s a one-year contract with a team option for a second year.

The 2019 season will be Loup’s eighth in the big leagues. Drafted by the Blue Jays in 2009, he debuted in 2012 and stayed in Toronto until last year’s trade deadline, when he was traded to the Phillies. In 2018 he posted a 4.54 ERA and 1.563 WHIP in 50 appearances for the two teams. With the Padres planning to move Matt Strahm and Robbie Erlin to the rotation in 2019, they needed another left-handed option in the bullpen and Loup can fill that role.

In order to make room on the roster for Loup, the Padres placed Garrett Richards on the 60-day injured list. The right-hander, who signed a two-year deal with San Diego in December, is still recovering from his July 2018 Tommy John surgery and is not expected to return until late this season. With the addition of Loup today, the Padres have the maximum 70 players at big league camp.