The Padres have reinstated right-hander Randy Vásquez from the 15-day injured list and designated reliever Ron Marinaccio for assignment, according to a team announcement. Marinaccio’s designation leaves an open spot on San Diego’s 40-man roster. In separate moves, lefty Wandy Peralta was reinstated from the bereavement list, while right-hander Jhony Brito was optioned to Triple-A El Paso.
Vásquez returns after a near-minimum stint for a right ankle contusion. He was a serviceable back-end starter in 2025, posting a 3.70 ERA in 129 innings out of the rotation (his other 4 2/3 innings coming out of the bullpen). Unfortunately, he’s taken a step back in 2026. Vásquez owns a 4.71 ERA in 84 innings this year, and his 7.12 expected ERA suggests he’s been fortunate to achieve even that mark. The righty’s 7.3% walk rate is better than average, but he doesn’t strike hitters out and has already given up 14 home runs, or 1.50 HR/9. Vásquez allowed 16 home runs in about 50 more innings last year (1.08 HR/9).
It doesn’t appear that he will immediately rejoin the rotation, as Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Vásquez is slated for bullpen work for the time being. That’s mostly due to the club already having five healthy starters. Behind staff ace Michael King, the group of Griffin Canning, Germán Márquez, JP Sears, and Walker Buehler are all drawing starts at the moment. None of the latter four have been particularly effective. It’s possible that Vásquez bides his time in the ‘pen for now, then rejoins the rotation in the event of an injury or a demotion. Sears is the only one of the group who can still be optioned to the minors.
More to come.
