Padres Acquire Injured Pitcher After Mets Stint

The San Diego Padres have signed right-handed pitcher Griffin Canning to a contract, despite his injury-shortened 2025 season with the New York Mets.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Griffin Canning, a 29-year-old right-handed pitcher, has signed a contract with the San Diego Padres after an injury-plagued 2025 season with the New York Mets. Canning put up strong numbers early in the season with the Mets, but a ruptured Achilles' tendon in late June ended his year. The Padres are taking a chance on Canning, who previously spent his first five MLB seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.

Why it matters

The Padres are looking to bolster their pitching rotation depth, and Canning represents a potential high-upside addition if he can return to form after his Achilles injury. The move also reunites Canning with his hometown team, as he hails from Mission Viejo, California, located between Los Angeles and San Diego.

The details

Canning had a 2.61 ERA in March and April with the Mets last season, but his numbers declined in May (4.09 ERA) and June (5.01 ERA) before he suffered the season-ending Achilles injury in his final start of June. The Padres are hopeful Canning will be ready to contribute at the MLB level by opening day, though his status remains uncertain as he continues his recovery.

  • Canning ruptured his Achilles' tendon against the Atlanta Braves in late June 2025, ending his season with the Mets.
  • Canning signed a contract with the San Diego Padres over the 2026 offseason, though the exact terms have not been reported.

The players

Griffin Canning

A 29-year-old right-handed pitcher who spent the first five seasons of his MLB career with the Los Angeles Angels before being traded to the Atlanta Braves and then signing a one-year deal with the New York Mets in 2025.

San Diego Padres

A professional baseball team based in San Diego, California, that competes in Major League Baseball's National League West division.

New York Mets

A professional baseball team based in New York City that competes in Major League Baseball's National League East division.

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What’s next

The Padres will monitor Canning's recovery from the Achilles injury and determine if he will be ready to contribute at the MLB level by the start of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Padres are taking a calculated risk by signing the injury-prone Canning, but if he can regain his early-season form from 2025, he could provide valuable rotation depth for a team looking to contend in the NL West.