Padres pull plug on aging lefty in latest reminder that veteran fliers have limits

The Padres have clearly seen enough of Marco Gonzales. It’s hard to blame them. They gave him 13 starts in Triple-A, and unfortunately,he couldn’t get on track.

Not long ago, the concern was simple. Gonzales didn’t look like a pitcher forcing his way into San Diego’s starting rotation. He looked exactly like what he was: a 34-year-old lefty trying to fight his way back after missing the entire 2025 season. It’s certainly a comeback story worth rooting for. But they don’t always have a happy ending. 

The Padres cutting him loose from Triple-A El Paso doesn’t really come as a shock. He was 2-4 with a 7.99 ERA with 36 strikeouts over 47 1/3 innings. The strikeouts suggest that he still has some deception in his stuff. But hitters batting .373 against him also suggests he didn’t fool guys nearly as much as that strikeout total might suggest.

Marco Gonzales’ release exposes the risk in Padres’ veteran pitching plan

San Diego spent the offseason collecting reclamation projects like A.J. Preller was trying to build a rotation out of maybes. Gonzales was part of that group. Along with Triston McKenzie, Walker Buehler, Lucas Giolito, Griffin Canning and Germán Márquez. There may be another name or two hiding in the weeds, too. But that’s how many arms the Padres have cycled through in search of value.

The idea wasn’t crazy, honestly. The Padres needed innings and options. They didn’t have any prospects close enough to sniff the starting rotation, and with limited resources, it was their best option. When a team is trying to stay competitive while also dealing with payroll limitations, you take those chances.

Gonzales being released barely moves the needle on its own. But it does underline the reality that San Diego cannot turn every veteran arm with a recognizable name into legitimate insurance.

Insurance is supposed to protect you when something goes wrong. Gonzales had proved that he wasn’t going to be able to do that. 

The Padres are still trying to figure out what they are. They have been linked to bigger names. And they have obvious needs. But before the deadline gets closer, this should serve as a small warning that depth is great. Until it isn’t. Veteran fliers can absolutely work. But there’s a limit to that. And they just found that with Gonzales.

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