Padres Strengthen Roster with Additions Ahead of Rule 5 Draft

The San Diego Padres have strengthened their roster by adding left-hander Omar Cruz and right-handers Henry Baez and Ryan Bergert. These additions come as part of their preparations for the Rule 5 Draft, bringing the Padres' 40-man roster to 37 players.

Omar Cruz, 25, originally signed with the Padres out of Mexico in 2018 and was traded to the Pirates in the Joe Musgrove deal in January 2021. He returned to the Padres last winter through the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft. This season, Cruz split his time between Double-A and Triple-A, primarily working out of the bullpen. At Double-A, he posted a solid 3.59 ERA with an impressive 35.4% strikeout rate over 47 2/3 innings, earning him a promotion to Triple-A. Despite a 4.42 ERA in the challenging Pacific Coast League, Cruz maintained a 28.7% strikeout rate, albeit with a 13.8% walk rate. The Padres see potential in Cruz and added him to the roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.

Henry Baez, 22, signed with the Padres out of the Dominican Republic and made his professional debut in 2021. He primarily served as a starter and had a breakout season in 2024. After struggling in High-A last year, Baez bounced back with a 2.95 ERA in 17 starts for the Fort Wayne TinCaps. His success continued at Double-A, where he posted a 3.06 ERA in nine starts, despite a drop in his strikeout rate to 15.1% over 50 innings. Baez's overall performance earned him a spot on the 40-man roster.

Ryan Bergert, 24, had an impressive 2023 season, pitching to a 2.73 ERA over 105 2/3 innings split between High-A and Double-A, with a 28.8% strikeout rate at the latter. However, he struggled in 2024, recording a 4.78 ERA over 98 innings with a reduced strikeout rate of 20.9%. Despite his challenges in the Arizona Fall League, the Padres see promise in Bergert's capabilities and added him to the roster.

​These strategic additions underscore the Padres' commitment to nurturing their pitching talent and preparing for future success. As Cruz, Baez, and Bergert continue their development, fans will be eager to see how these young arms contribute to the team's performance in the coming seasons.