Veteran right-hander Carl Edwards Jr. has opted for free agency after turning down an outright assignment from the Padres, following his recent designation for assignment (DFA), as reported by MiLB.com. He is now free to sign with any team.
Edwards rejoined the Padres on a minor league deal earlier this summer, marking his second tenure with the team. However, the 32-year-old (turning 33 in September) made just one appearance this season, allowing all three runners he faced to reach base, including two walks and a hit. He was pulled from the game, and his replacement, Yuki Matsui, managed to escape a bases-loaded situation that Edwards had created.
Despite a rough MLB outing, Edwards has had a solid season in Triple-A. He split his time between the Cubs’ and Padres’ top affiliates, posting a 3.30 ERA with a 22.2% strikeout rate and a troubling 14.3% walk rate. Edwards has served both as a reliever and, more recently, as a starter for the Padres’ Triple-A team, showcasing his ability to handle multiple innings.
Before this season, Edwards had two effective years with the Nationals, where he recorded a 3.07 ERA over 93 2/3 innings, despite inconsistent strikeouts (20%) and walk rates (10.6%). His 2023 season was cut short due to a stress fracture in his right shoulder, which led to a minor league deal this offseason. After not being promoted by the Cubs, he exercised an opt-out in June and signed with the Padres.
Originally a top prospect in the Rangers’ system, Edwards was traded to the Cubs as part of a deal for Matt Garza. Over his 10-season MLB career, he has pitched 280 innings across six teams, mainly with the Cubs and Nationals, with a career 3.54 ERA, a strong 28.1% strikeout rate, and a high 12.7% walk rate.
