Fautino De Los Santos Claimed Off Waivers By Padres

Adding more pitching depth was Padres general manager Josh Byrnes’ No. 1 priority this off-season. And on Wednesday, Byrnes continued to add more pitching to the roster when he claimed Fautino De Los Santos off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers, Padres.com reports.

September 21, 2011; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Fautino De Los Santos (60) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum. Texas defeated Oakland 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports

De Los Santos only pitched in six Major League games last season with the Oakland Athletics, compiling a 3.00 earned run average before being dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers on July 28 for ex-Padres’ farm hand George Kottaras.

As a member of the Brewers, De Los Santos failed to make it back on the Big League roster, but managed to post a 2-3 record with a 5.80 ERA in 49 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level in the A’s and Brewers organizations.

To add the 26-year-old pitcher on the 40-man roster, the Padres designated Jeudy Valdez for assignment.

Valdez, 25, hit a measly .225 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs last season with Double-A San Antonio.

Valdez was on the 40-man roster because he was protected in the Rule 5 Draft.