The Padres have added proper hander James Bourque on a minor league deal, per his MLB.com transaction web page.
Bourque, 26, hasn’t appeared within the majors since getting a handful of innings with the Nationals again in 2020. That yr, he tossed simply 4 innings of aid, giving up three earned runs and strolling 5 batters. He additionally appeared in a single sport in 2019, and all advised has pitched 4 2/3 massive league innings for a 13.50 ERA.
A 14th spherical choose by the Nats again in 2014, Bourque labored as a starter initially, however after struggling to a 5.03 ERA in A-ball in 2017 he was moved right into a aid function. He instantly discovered success there, seeing his strikeout price surge whereas working to a 1.70 ERA in 53 aid innings between Single and Double-A in 2018. A serious league debut would are available 2019, however as touched on, he hasn’t discovered success on the highest degree to this point.
Accidents have restricted Bourque to simply 8 1/3 minor league innings since being launched by the Nationals on the finish of the 2020 season. These innings got here throughout a stint within the Cubs group in final yr, when Bourque struck out 16 batters in these 8 1/3 innings, but additionally walked 9. He’ll head west to hitch the Padres and hope to discover a approach again onto an enormous league roster.
