The San Diego Padres recalled Lucas Giolito from Double-A San Antonio before Sunday’s game against the Seattle Mariners. The veteran right-hander will make his 2026 season debut after completing four minor league starts.
In a corresponding move, the Padres optioned right-hander Alek Jacob to Triple-A El Paso.
We have recalled RHP Lucas Giolito from Double-A San Antonio and optioned RHP Alek Jacob to Triple-A El Paso.
Giolito looked sharp during his brief stint with San Antonio. His most recent outing saw him toss six frames while allowing just one earned run – exactly what the organization wanted to see from the former All-Star.
The 32-year-old’s path back to the majors has been unconventional. After posting solid numbers with the Boston Red Sox in 2025 – a 3.41 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP and 121 strikeouts across 145 innings – Giolito opted for free agency.
That’s where things got complicated.
He couldn’t find any offers during the offseason, which explains why he wasn’t in a major league camp come spring training. It wasn’t until late April when the Padres reached out, leaving Giolito with a delayed buildup for the 2026 season.
The timing suggests San Diego needs immediate rotation help. With Giolito’s track record – he was an All-Star as recently as 2019 – this could be a smart pickup for a team looking to bolster their pitching depth.
From Giolito’s perspective, it’s a chance to prove he’s still got something left in the tank. At 32, he’s not exactly old for a pitcher, but the free agency drought had to sting.
What makes this interesting is how quickly the Padres are moving him up. Four minor league starts isn’t much of a runway, but his performance in San Antonio clearly convinced the front office he’s ready.
Now comes the real test – whether Giolito can translate that minor league success back to the majors and help the Padres’ rotation moving forward.
