The 2026 international signing period opened Thursday and the San Diego Padres wasted little time, signing three players from Baseball America’s top-100 prospects list according to Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
The top signee for San Diego is Cuban shortstop Joniel Hernandez. Reports have stated Hernandez, who is just 16 years old, projects as a shortstop or centerfielder. The Padres also signed Mexican pitcher Diego Serna and Curacao shortstop Timothy Mogen. Sanders states there are other reported signings, but they have not been confirmed by the team.
Padres News:
- Although he will not take the mound in 2026, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune continues his Padres roster review with Yu Darvish. The veteran right-hander had offseason surgery that will cause him to miss the season. His future in San Diego remains uncertain.
Baseball News:
- The Los Angeles Dodgers did what the Dodgers do – the back-to-back World Series Champions threw a bunch of money at the top free agent of the offseason and landed outfielder Kyle Tucker on a four-year, $240 million deal.
- The Tampa Bay Rays, Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Angels lined up on a three-team trade that resulted in outfielder Josh Lowe going to Los Angeles, left-hander Brock Burke going to Cincinnati and infielder Gavin Lux and right-hander Chris Clark going to Tampa Bay. The Reds also agreed to a trade with the Seattle Mariners to send reliever Yosver Zulueta to Seattle for minor league pitcher Dusty Revis.
- Cody Bellinger is arguably the top free agent bat remaining on the market. He and the New York Yankees have been unable to reach a deal, which means the teams that failed to land Tucker, most notably the New York Mets, could pivot to Bellinger.
- Free agent infielder Bo Bichette met with the Philadelphia Phillies earlier in the week and with Tucker signing with the Dodgers, he may see more suitors vying for his services.
- The Yankees agreed to a one-year deal with reliever Paul Blackburn, Thursday.
- The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year deal with reliever Taylor Clarke, Thursday.
- The Colorado Rockies and free agent utility player Willi Castro agreed to a two-year deal, Thursday.
- Clayton Kershaw may be done pitching in MLB, but he is going to make a final appearance with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic before he rides off into the sunset.
- Now that third baseman Alex Bregman is officially a Chicago Cub, it has been reported he will join Kershaw on the Team USA roster in the WBC.
