With a rotation hit by injury, the San Diego Padres announced the signing of right-hander Lucas Giolito on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old Giolito comes aboard on a one-year deal plus an option for 2027.
Welcome to San Diego, Lucas!
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 22, 2026
We have signed right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito to a one-year contract with a mutual option for the 2027 season. pic.twitter.com/2fF8lMmYn6
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports the deal will pay Giolito a prorated salary of $3 million for the season.
Giolito signs with Padres for $3M prorated
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 22, 2026
The signing comes with all of Nick Pivetta (flexor), Joe Musgrove (elbow) and Griffin Canning (Achilles) unavailable. Canning is likely the first of the three to return to the big leagues. Pivetta and Musgrove are both on the injured list while Canning is set for a rehab start later on Wednesday for Triple-A El Paso.
A native of Santa Monica, CA, Giolito spent 2025 with the Boston Red Sox. In 26 starts, he was 10-4 with an earned run average of 3.41 and 1.290 WHIP over 145.0 innings pitched. He struck out 121 batters and walked 56.
The 16th overall selection of the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft, Giolito did not play in 2024 while recuperating from elbow surgery.
Giolito heads into a 10th season, having also previously suited up for the Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox and Washington Nationals.
An All-Star in 2019, Giolito is 71-66 in 206 career appearances with a 4.30 ERA and WHIP of 1.258 over 1,158.2 IP. For his career, Giolito has amassed a 14.4 WAR.
The Padres (16-7) are tied atop the National League West with the Los Angeles Dodgers, both sharing the league’s best record. Winners of nine of their last 10, the team continues a four-game series with the Colorado Rockies (9-15) on Wednesday night in Denver.
