Juan Nuñez: Everything you need to know

The Padres returned Nunez to the Orioles on Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports. The Padres selected Nunez in the Rule 5 draft back in December, but he wasn't quite able to make the big-league club after surrendering four runs (two earned) on six hits and six walks across five innings in spring training. He'll now return to the Orioles' farm system, losing his 40-man spot in the process, and presumably return to High-A Aberdeen or jump up to Double-A Chesapeake.

Nunez (shoulder) gave up two unearned runs on one hit and one walk over one inning Wednesday in the Padres' 4-3 loss to the Rockies in Cactus League play. The Rule 5 pick made his spring debut for the Padres after recovering from the shoulder injury that cost him the final four months of the 2024 season. Nunez has yet to pitch above the High-A level, but in order for the Padres to retain his rights, he'll need to spend the entire 2025 season on the 26-man active roster or on a reserve list. The 24-year-old righty will likely be limited to a low-leverage role out of the bullpen if the Padres opt to carry him on their Opening Day roster.

Nunez (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, per MLB.com. Nunez was shut down from throwing in mid-August last year due to a shoulder injury, and he's building up slowly this spring. The righty reliever was selected by San Diego in the Rule 5 draft in December after posting a 2.45 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 38:10 K:BB over 29.1 innings in High-A ball with the Orioles' organization last season. As a Rule 5 draftee, Nunez must spend the entire upcoming campaign on the Padres' active roster or else be subjected to waivers, though San Diego could place him on the injured list for a period of time.