On February 17, the San Diego Padres designated outfielder Tirso Ornelas for assignment as part of the roster move to officially add right-hander Griffin Canning. Following the waiver process, Ornelas cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A, no longer occupying a spot on the team’s 40-man roster. This change marks a significant shift in the Padres’ outfield depth ahead of the upcoming season.
Player Background and Major League Performance
Ornelas, who will turn 26 next month, joined the Padres organization in July 2024 and had a brief major league debut in 2025. During his short stint, he appeared in seven games, accumulating 16 plate appearances with a .071/.188/.071 batting line. Despite the limited big league exposure, Ornelas has shown solid offensive results in the minor leagues, particularly at the Triple-A level over the past three years.
Minor League Track Record and Hitting Profile
With 1,471 plate appearances mostly in the Pacific Coast League, Ornelas posted an 11.3% walk rate and a 17% strikeout rate, alongside 48 home runs. His slash line of .285/.371/.452 translates to a 108 wRC+, which indicates he was eight percent above league average, though this productivity reflects the hitter-friendly conditions of the league. While this performance is respectable, it suggests Ornelas must significantly outperform these numbers to make a valuable impact at the major league level.
Defensive Abilities and Roster Competition
Though Ornelas has some experience in center field, he is primarily a corner outfielder and is not regarded as a strong defender. Additionally, he lacks notable speed on the basepaths. The Padres’ outfield picture includes established players like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ramón Laureano at the corners, with Jackson Merrill patrolling center field. Other roster candidates, including Gavin Sheets, Nick Castellanos, Miguel Andujar, Sung Mun Song, and Bryce Johnson, provide further competition for limited spots.
Roster Implications and Future Outlook
The crowded outfield depth contributed to Ornelas being placed in DFA status, which allows the Padres to gauge trade interest and waiver claims over approximately a week-long period. Since he has one minor league option remaining and is a left-handed hitter, Ornelas may attract interest from teams seeking additional outfield depth. Despite some deficiencies, Baseball America ranked him as the 28th best prospect within the Padres system recently.
If unclaimed on waivers, Ornelas cannot elect free agency due to having under three years of major league service and no previous outright designation. This means he would remain in the Padres’ minor league system unless traded, which adds uncertainty to his immediate professional future.
Significance of the Move for the Padres’ Outfield
Ornelas’s removal from the 40-man roster reflects the Padres’ evolving strategy amid a crowded outfield group. This decision reshapes their depth chart and leaves the team relying on a mix of established players and other prospects to fill outfield roles. How this adjustment affects roster flexibility and in-season injuries will be important to watch, as the Padres prepare for the 2026 campaign.
