Padres Return Right-Handed Pitcher Juan Nuñez to Orioles

BALTIMORE, Md. — The San Diego Padres have officially returned right-handed pitcher Juan Nuñez to the Baltimore Orioles after he cleared waivers, the teams announced on March 25, 2025. Nuñez, 24, will now be assigned to the Orioles’ minor league camp after a brief stint with the Padres, where he was selected in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft.

Nuñez was taken by the Padres as the No. 12 pick in the Rule 5 Draft, moving from the No. 8 prospect in the Orioles’ farm system to the No. 11 prospect in San Diego’s organization. Despite a promising career, he could not secure a spot on the Padres’ Opening Day roster.

In the 2025 spring training, Nuñez made four appearances, posting a 3.60 ERA and a 0.67 strikeout-to-walk ratio, which included six walks against just four strikeouts. These performances led to the Padres’ decision to return him, indicating challenges he faced related to control and a lack of upper-level minor league experience.

Originally drafted by the Minnesota Twins, Nuñez was traded to the Orioles in August 2022 alongside pitchers Cade Povich, Yennier Canó, and Juan Rojas in exchange for veteran pitcher Jorge López. Throughout his minor league career, he has logged 230.2 innings with a 3.32 ERA, recording 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings despite struggling with walks (11 percent walk rate).

During his 2024 season at the High-A level, Nuñez exhibited significant potential, finishing with a 2.45 ERA over 29.1 innings, including 38 strikeouts. However, a shoulder injury limited him to only seven starts last season and hindered his ability to advance further in his progression.

As he returns to the Orioles organization, Nuñez will have the opportunity to further develop without the immediate pressure of the major league roster, a situation that may benefit his growth as a player. According to sources, the Orioles plan to focus on nurturing his talent while monitoring his performance closely.

With the Padres needing to clear roster spots for several potential contract selections, this move for Nuñez opens one such spot while allowing the Orioles to reclaim a player with a tumultuous yet promising skill set. His future remains uncertain, but the Orioles hope he can translate his minor league successes into major league potential in the coming seasons.