José Leclerc: Everything you need to know

The Padres signed Leclerc (shoulder) to a minor-league contract Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. Leclerc is still working his way back from right shoulder surgery, but he has resumed throwing off the mound and is aiming to make his season debut by July. The 32-year-old has a career 13.1 percent walk rate but also a 30.8 percent strikeout rate over parts of nine big-league seasons. There's no guarantee Leclerc's stuff bounces all the way back after his shoulder operation, but if it does he could eventually see high-leverage relief work in San Diego.

Leclerc (lat) threw a bullpen session Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. Leclerc is currently a free agent and is working his way back from shoulder surgery after being diagnosed with a lat strain last April, and the 32-year-old is still tracking toward a July return. Leclerc was very effective in relief with the Rangers from 2022-24 and should draw interest once healthy.

The Athletics transferred Leclerc (lat) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday. Leclerc landed on the IL one week ago with a right lat strain and had been slated to receive a second opinion on the injury this week. The Athletics haven't revealed the findings of his recent medical evaluations, but Leclerc clearly wasn't expected to be ready to pitch anytime soon. The veteran righty had struggled in a setup role for the Athletics prior to getting hurt, as he gave up six earned runs on 13 hits and five walks over nine innings in his first 10 appearances of the season.