The Padres announced that outfielder Bryce Johnson has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A El Paso. Johnson has a previous outright and can elect free agency, though the team didn’t provide any indication he’ll do so.
San Diego designated Johnson for assignment on Friday. The 30-year-old had held a bench spot for the entire season but didn’t provide much at the plate. Samad Taylor has played well since being called up a couple weeks ago and has played his way into regular playing time in left field. Rookie Jase Bowen continues to hold a bench spot, while the Padres brought up Nick Solak over the weekend to replace the injured Miguel Andujar.
Johnson took 49 plate appearances over 32 games this year. The switch-hitter batted .178 without a home run while striking out 18 times. Johnson batted .342 over 84 plate appearances last year, but his broader track record is that of a fifth outfielder. He’s a .229/.286/.290 hitter over parts of five MLB campaigns.
San Diego is light on upper minors position player depth. Mason McCoy is their only hitter on the 40-man roster who isn’t already on the big league club. Solak, Taylor and Bowen have been three of their four best Triple-A hitters this year and have since been promoted. Journeyman utility player Pablo Reyes and 27-year-old Marcos Castañon have been El Paso’s only other above-average hitters this year among those with 40+ plate appearances.
