Padres' latest transaction reveals more than a routine camp cut

The San Diego Padres are in the middle of making roster cuts from spring training, and one of them came to a bit of a surprise. Right-handed pitcher Daison Acosta was outrighted to Triple-A El Paso this week after signing with the Friars in December.

Acosta had not pitching with San Diego at spring training, so him not garnering any opportunity at camp tells us the organization didn't have faith in him cracking the 40-man roster to begin the year. With other pitchers performing well at spring, the Padres are likely locking in on other arms to grab a spot on the roster.

San Diego Padres move on from Daison Acosta after not pitching once at spring training

Acosta, 27, pitched at three minor league levels in 2025, but mostly with Triple-A Rochester. He logged a 4.71 ERA in 21 innings with 24 strikeouts and 15 walks.

Someone on a faster track to the big leagues than Acosta is Logan Gillaspie, so perhaps he is the prime candidate for the last roster spot on the 40-man. Through 7.2 innings this spring, Gillaspie has yet to allow a run while striking out eight batters. He also looked strong in minimal chances last year in the big leagues, allowing two runs across seven frames. So, perhaps it is Gillaspie's turn in the order following optimal performances in both the 2026 spring and the 2025 regular season.

It's a tough break for Acosta, but who knows, maybe he settles in with El Paso and works his way back up to the bigs. San Diego not giving him a vote of confidence early on is not a great sign, but it isn't his kiss of death. The Padres have a ton of relievers who teeter the line of being good or volatile. Acosta will just need to wait patiently for the latter to happen.