Padres Add Another Pitcher on Minor League Deal

A reliever, Nance spent the majority of 2023 on the injured list dealing with shoulder and oblique injuries. He was outrighted by the Miami Marlins at the start of the offseason making him available for the Friars to pick up.

Nance, a career minor leaguer, has had a cup of coffee with the Chicago Cubs and Marlins over the last two seasons. 

In 72.1 career major league innings, he has struggled mightily. He has a 5.47 ERA with a 4.23 FIP. However, if there is anyone who can help a struggling pitcher, it's Ruben Niebla.

Nance primarily uses his curveball with a 39.3% usage. He also sports a sinker, slider, and four-seam fastball.

While he does not induce too much chase out of the zone, he does limit hard contact. With one of the best defenses in baseball, the Padres stand to benefit from groundball pitchers like Nance.

There's no real timetable as to when he may make a major league appearance. He's a cheap arm that gives the bullpen some depth in case something goes awry. 

This is a pure upside signing that could pay some dividends during the 2024 season.