Left-hander Drew Pomeranz has been dealing with elbow discomfort while rehabbing with Triple-A El Paso, and Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune (X link) reports that Pomeranz’s season is officially over. The southpaw already hasn’t seen any action since pitching a scoreless inning for El Paso on September 3.
Pomeranz is heading for free agency, as his four-year, $34MM contract with the Padres is up after the season. The deal amounted to 44 1/3 relief innings for San Diego over the 2020-21 seasons, as Pomeranz hasn’t appeared in a Major League game since August 2021 due to flexor tendon surgery and then several setbacks due to lingering soreness. He underwent another elbow surgery back in May, and he only returned in late August to make four minor league appearances before being shut down yet again.
Pomeranz turns 35 in November, and between his age, two lost seasons, and a left elbow that still doesn’t seem to be 100 percent, it isn’t out of the question that the left-hander might consider retirement. The fifth overall pick of the 2010 draft and a veteran of 11 Major League seasons, Pomeranz battled to find consistency as a starter for much of his career, though his highs included an All-Star appearance in 2016 (during his first stint with the Padres). After he struggled as a starter in 2018-19, he seemingly found a second chapter as a full-time reliever with the Brewers during the 2019 campaign, which prompted San Diego to take the $34MM plunge on his services in the 2019-20 offseason.
Given his past track record, Pomeranz could still get some looks on a minor league contract this winter, provided he is able to get healthy. A no-risk minors deal leaves some wiggle room for a team if Pomeranz’s elbow problems do continue, and a new club could at least get some chance to evaluate Pomeranz first-hand to see if a comeback is possible or feasible.
websoulsurfer
He wasn’t already?
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
Great Googly Moogly
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
I thought it was “great O’googely O’moogely”
mlb fan
Giving ANY reliever not named Mariano Rivera a 4 year deal is a pretty dumb move; just add it to the previous dumb moves of the AJ Preller regime.
Longtimecoming
I’m thinking Hader gets at least a 4 year deal.
mlb fan
Drew Pomerantz was NEVER at the level of a Josh Hader and it’s borderline crazy he got 4 yrs. Giving a reliever with as many high stress miles on their arm as Hader a 4+ year deal will likely be regretted in year 1 or 2. You’re much better off drafting and developing your own relievers, than giving guys with many stressful innings on their arms 4+ year deals. And Hader probably gets 5 yrs or more.
Longtimecoming
You said giving ANY reliever not MR 4 years….
I’m not sure why you think I was bringing Pom into my comment?
All I said was Hader would get at least 4 years – and you now say 5!
You confuse me.
mlb fan
I’m commenting partially to you and also adding context to the subject matter of this article(Pomerantz). I agree pretty much with what you said, except I think Hader probably gets 5 yrs. Give a decent GM(Dipoto for example)3 months and he’ll find you a couple decent relievers off the scrap heap, that don’t require 4 yr deals. Sorry if I didn’t make myself more clear, but I’m not disagreeing with you and It was I that mentioned Pomerantz.
Longtimecoming
On that point I’d say Preller has had a good track record of scrap heaping for relievers over the years. I’m not able to compare all GM’s but I k is he has found some gems.
JoeBrady
Drew Pomerantz was NEVER at the level of a Josh Hader and it’s borderline crazy he got 4 yrs.
===============
Yup, I’m trying to figure out when Pommy was good. Very good in 2018, but pretty bad in 2019-20. And he has a bit of an injury history which is why SD traded him to us.
Hired Gun 23
Well that’s a fine howdy-do!
oldguyG
Pomeranz 34 million for 44 innings wow !
VegasSDfan
Not quite as bad as the Rendon deal
AHH-Rox
Karma for Preller’s fudging with the medical records when he traded Pomeranz to the Red Sox.
Deleted Userr
Oh you mean like how Dave Dombrowski fudged with Anderson Espinoza’s medical records? Ya know, the guy who needed TJ not once but TWICE after coming over to SD?
AHH-Rox
I make no claim that Preller’s lack of ethics was unique.
geg42
$777k an inning!
Longtimecoming
Not as bad as What Jets paid Rodgers for 1 incomplete pass!
SanDiegoTom
Fire Aj preller
Deleted Userr
Well color me shocked.
The Big Yo
Oakland A’s have a lot of young pitchers and they clearly have nothing to lose next year. Nice fit, nice mentor for the puppies and everyone is happy. If fit, obviously
James Midway
Biggest thief in San Diego. Preller should have him selling hot dogs in the stands to at least earn some of that money.
gravel
It’s not theft. It’s a contract. He was presumably healthy when he signed with SD. If he was not, that’s on Preller.
AllAboutBaseball
Not to worry Padres fans, Preller will Pomeranz to a 3 year deal this off-season.
padreforlife
Another Preller special
LordD99
Drew Pomeranz stories always give me a sense of deja vu.