The San Diego Padres have signed right-handed pitcher Daison Acosta to a one-year Major League contract, expanding their 40-man roster to 37 players. Acosta, who has yet to make his MLB debut, impressed during last season in the Nationals’ minor league system.
In his stint last season, Acosta posted a combined 2.42 ERA over 52 relief innings across three levels. He registered a 33% strikeout rate, a 12.4% walk rate, and induced ground balls at a rate of 44.1%, showcasing solid command and effectiveness.
Acosta features a four-pitch mix led by a 94.5 mph four-seam fastball. His secondary pitches include a splitter, sinker, and slider, which contribute to his ability to miss bats and maintain swinging-strike rates above 17% in recent seasons.
Originally signed internationally by the Mets out of the Dominican Republic in 2016, Acosta was acquired by Washington through the Rule 5 Draft minor league phase in 2023. He has consistently performed well, maintaining sub-3.00 ERAs and near one-third strikeout rates over two years in the Nationals’ system.
Given that he has not started a game since 2022, Acosta is expected to serve as bullpen depth for the Padres. The contract is reportedly a low-cost deal, likely at the MLB minimum salary on a split contract.
San Diego also benefits from Acosta having all minor league options available. This allows the team to assign him to Triple-A in spring training without exposing him to waivers, providing roster flexibility.
The Padres’ signing adds a promising arm with a strong minor league track record and potential to contribute in relief roles. Acosta’s development will be closely watched as he aims to transition successfully to the major leagues this season.
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