Headlines

  • Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin
  • Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury
  • Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib
  • Tucker Barnhart To Retire
  • Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline
  • Reds Release Jeimer Candelario
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Padres Designate Jorge Mateo For Assignment

By Anthony Franco | August 3, 2021 at 4:05pm CDT

The Padres announced this afternoon they’ve designated outfielder Jorge Mateo for assignment. The move clears active roster space for left-hander Matt Strahm, who has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list.

San Diego acquired Mateo from the A’s last June. The former top prospect was out of minor league options, so the Padres had to keep him on the big league club (or injured list) in order to retain his long-term rights. The Friars have kept Mateo on the active roster over the past two seasons, although they’ve never seemed especially eager to give him regular playing time. The 26-year-old has tallied just 121 plate appearances over 79 games, serving mostly as a late-game pinch hitter, pinch runner or defensive replacement.

Mateo’s lack of roster flexibility made him something of an odd fit on a win-now Padres club. He hasn’t shown enough in his limited playing time to force his way into a more regular role, hitting .195/.235/.310 with terrible strikeout and walk rates (31.4% and 2.5%, respectively). That said, the Padres’ front office clearly remained intrigued by his physical gifts and one-time prospect status.

It’s certainly not inconceivable another club will give Mateo a look. He’ll be placed on waivers, and it’s possible a less immediate contender could place a claim and give him more consistent reps than San Diego could offer. Of course, any claiming team would also have to keep Mateo on the big league club or again expose him to waivers.

Strahm hasn’t pitched all season. The 29-year-old has missed the entire campaign recovering from right knee surgery. Last year, he worked 20 2/3 innings of 2.61 ERA/4.24 SIERA ball over nineteen appearances. Strahm will join Drew Pomeranz and Tim Hill as left-handed bullpen options for manager Jayce Tingler.

Share 0 Retweet 11 Send via email0

San Diego Padres Transactions Jorge Mateo Matt Strahm

Tigers’ President: Team Could Pursue “High-Impact” Players This Offseason
Main
Twins Release Matt Shoemaker
View Comments (49)
Post a Comment

49 Comments

  1. CrikesAlready

    4 years ago

    Long overdue. Mateo will fit nicely with a rebuilding team, give him a crack at it. Many times this year, his roster spot would have been better used with other types of players. Out of options, they held on to him too long.

    13
    Reply
    • Brew’88

      4 years ago

      I see it as a fail. His value to the Pads was as a playoff pinch runner, which is a luxury IF you know you’re a playoff team. They now are resigned to battling foe a wildcard, and have to pull all the stops. I’m guessing he will get picked up by a team that knows it’s going to postseason, like the Brewers, Giants or Red Sox.

      1
      Reply
      • Cosmo2

        4 years ago

        Playoff pinch runner is an inefficient usage. That roster spot is better used on a player with a much more likelihood of making a difference. The probability of a pinch runner making a difference is tiny. Minuscule.

        3
        Reply
    • Dennis Boyd

      4 years ago

      Marisnick pick up was an eye towards DFAing Mateo. If Tatis didn’t get hurt, he’d of been DFA’d last week

      2
      Reply
  2. oaklandandpittsburgh

    4 years ago

    Oakland should look into getting him back and getting rid of Piscotty

    3
    Reply
    • A'sfaninUK

      4 years ago

      Piscotty is in a weird place right now. If no OFers get hurt, he will stay on as a PH, but if they get hurt and he’s faced with everyday action, they would get rid of him.

      Reply
    • oaklandfan22

      4 years ago

      I agree with this.

      Reply
  3. Baller4mlb

    4 years ago

    Alright pirates do the right thing here and make Evans walk the plank and bring aboard Mateo in his stead. Just a rational thought from a beleaguered fan

    2
    Reply
    • Sports_Guy

      4 years ago

      Yep, the Pirates love former top prospects.

      Reply
      • CrikesAlready

        4 years ago

        Dude’s fast, can make things happen.

        Thanks for Frazier!!!

        7
        Reply
        • Cosmo2

          4 years ago

          Can’t make anything happen with speed if you can’t get on base.

          6
          Reply
  4. JoeBrady

    4 years ago

    There should be some cellar-dwellers looking into him.. Give him 6 weeks of everyday play. If he can play, you picked up an asset. If he can’t, you improved your draft choice.

    5
    Reply
    • Ducky Buckin Fent

      4 years ago

      Man.
      I remember being so excited about this guy. He lead all organized baseball in steals in ’15. Then he just pretty much stalled out in his development.

      Might’ve had a role in the 70’s or 80’s but his type of game is currently not very valuable.

      1
      Reply
      • Cosmo2

        4 years ago

        Yea I loved this guy. Exactly the type player would’ve been a favorite of mine growing up in the 80’s. Too bad he couldn’t hit enough to show off his other skills. I been following him since his early Yankee farm days. But I think he’s hit the end of the road, or close to it.

        1
        Reply
  5. A'sfaninUK

    4 years ago

    MAAAAteo

    Reply
    • need_a_no-no_pads

      4 years ago

      I loved chanting “Hip Hip Jorge!” But I only got to do it once since that’s the only time he got on base.

      Reply
  6. tribepride17

    4 years ago

    Holy smokes this guy had 82 stolen bases in 2015. Interesting guy to look at for rebuilding teams.

    1
    Reply
    • Cosmo2

      4 years ago

      Interesting, but give him a short leash. So far he’s been nothing more than Billy Hamilton-lite, and that’s pretty bad. I’d guess you could just call him a bust now but suppose there’s no harm in a losing team giving him a tryout.

      1
      Reply
  7. fathead0507

    4 years ago

    Rangers written all over it

    1
    Reply
  8. top jimmy

    4 years ago

    Cubs make sense.

    Reply
    • getright11

      4 years ago

      No they don’t. Ortega just hit more HRs in one day than Mateo ever dreamed of.

      Reply
      • top jimmy

        4 years ago

        He can play the infield. He was originally a SS.

        Reply
    • Cosmo2

      4 years ago

      Whoever gives him his next shot should be prepared to be disappointed, unfortunately.

      2
      Reply
  9. mpmks

    4 years ago

    At best he plays winter ball and signs a minor league contract with invite to spring training and hope for the best. With the power speed combo he showed thru AAA I could see kbo as a end option and try for a return from there

    Reply
  10. Dorothy_Mantooth

    4 years ago

    You say Mateo, I say Matato.

    9
    Reply
    • JoeBrady

      4 years ago

      It isn’t bad enough you picked the wrong character from Archer, but now you’re dissing Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers?

      Reply
  11. denistaylor

    4 years ago

    He can replace Locastro.

    Reply
  12. Deleted_User

    4 years ago

    youtube.com/watch?v=IUZEtVbJT5c

    1
    Reply
    • Smelly_Cobb

      4 years ago

      agreed

      Reply
  13. Deleted_User

    4 years ago

    Yikes. Junior Perez (prospect the Padres gave up for Mateo) is ranked #9 in the A’s farm system.

    Reply
    • JohhnyBets67

      4 years ago

      With a .661 OPS I can tell you where he’s not going to be ranked next season…..

      Though I’m assuming you grabbed those off of MLB.com bc FanGraphs had him ranked #30 as a 35+ player. So probably not much lost there.

      1
      Reply
      • Deleted_User

        4 years ago

        @JohhnyBets67 Nothing gained either

        Reply
  14. pittsburghbob69

    4 years ago

    Hopefully the Pirates pick him up. They could give him a shot in LF or 2B. Although Castro has been playing well at 2B. And B.Reynolds has been playing well in CF. But they could move Reynolds back to LF, and use Mateo in CF. I don’t know why Cole Tucker isn’t up getting MLB ABs either. Pirates shouldn’t be giving ABs to Dilfo, Erik Gonzalez or Philip Evans.

    Reply
    • Cosmo2

      4 years ago

      I can’t believe Erik Gonzalez has lasted this long. Dunno what the Pirates see in him.

      Reply
      • mlb1225

        4 years ago

        I don’t either. Gonzalez’s only value is his defense. It’s odd the Pirates haven’t DFA’d him in favor of at least trying Cole Tucker. I’m not saying Tucker would be a whole lot better at this point, but Gonzalez has 853 plate appearances and a sub-70 wRC+. Tucker can’t do much worse.

        3
        Reply
  15. VegasSDfan

    4 years ago

    Best of luck to him. Seems like he will land somewhere

    Reply
  16. CrikesAlready

    4 years ago

    By the way, wanna talk exclusive pinch runners?

    Charles O. Finley hired a fast dude… Herb Washington.

    baseball-reference.com/players/w/washihe01.shtml

    Reply
  17. 66TheNumberOfTheBest

    4 years ago

    I thought the Pirates should have asked for Mateo and Luis Severino for Cole when they were shopping him.

    …yeah.

    1
    Reply
  18. BillTheThrill10

    4 years ago

    Great speed, such a shame he didn’t pan out for the Padres. Also, he never got any real playing time so hard to get into a rhythm. Maybe a rebuilding club can give him that and he’ll be a steal. Could see the Rangers, Pirates, Twins, or even the Rockies or D-Backs giving this guy a chance. Seems like ex-Padres love to kill us when they stay within the division.

    Reply
    • Cosmo2

      4 years ago

      Would be great if someone gave him a starting job for the rest of the season to give him a real look/chance but I really doubt he’ll do much with it. I kinda think he just is what he is.

      Reply
  19. Herc33

    4 years ago

    I question the timing of this somewhat because I feel like he’s more likely to get claimed now that it’s after the deadline. Rebuilding teams might as well take a flier on him with roster spots that just opened up from selling off.

    It’s been apparent for a a couple months that they were eventually going to have to DFA him since he was out of options and wasn’t performing. I guess there’s no good time to slip him through waivers and outright him to AAA but this seems like a pretty bad time for that.

    Reply
  20. jpauld15

    4 years ago

    Rangers will probably pick him up. They just picked up Peters the other day and this guy has a similar track record. Plus the Preller relationship with the Rangers makes it even more plausible

    Reply
    • darkstar61

      4 years ago

      Peters had 34 PA of a .382 OBP, .385 SLG, .767 OPS, 112 OPS+ for the Dodgers

      Mateo has 121 PA of a .235 OBP, .310 SLG, .545 OPS, 52 OPS+

      In fact, Mateo has walked 3 times in 79 games, 121 PA – Peters had walked 8 in 18 games, 34 PA

      How are they even remotely similar?

      Reply
  21. brucenewton

    4 years ago

    I remember when he was an untouchable super star prospect in the yank system. Him and Blake Rutherford. Not sure what happened.

    Reply
    • Cosmo2

      4 years ago

      I think Mateo was always that “he’s so fast and plays prime positions; if he could hit, whoah boy!” type prospects. It blinds scouts to the fact that, no, he can’t actually hit.

      Reply
  22. chace alexander

    4 years ago

    Mateo is a pretty solid Cubs fit, if they can get him somewhere close to his old status in the minors he could be a new core player along w/ Madrigal in middle infield.

    Reply
    • Cosmo2

      4 years ago

      His minor league stats were never that good. All stolen bases, little more. Players get released for a reason. He’s not going to be part of anyone’s core anything but people can dream.

      Reply
  23. Jasona9

    4 years ago

    There’s an OLD expression, “SPEED never goes into a slump”. Jorge Mateo is one of the fastest players in MLB. I wish him well and hope another team gives him a shot.

    Reply
    • Cosmo2

      4 years ago

      Speed shmeed. If you can’t hit, you can’t hit.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Tucker Barnhart To Retire

    Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

    Reds Release Jeimer Candelario

    Dave Parker Passes Away

    Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles

    Pirates Reportedly Have Very Few Untouchable Players At Trade Deadline

    Griffin Canning Believed To Have Suffered Achilles Injury

    Mariners Looking For Corner Infield Bats; Ownership Willing To Bump Payroll

    Wander Franco Found Guilty Of Sexual Abuse

    Mariners Place Rowdy Tellez On Release Waivers

    Max Meyer To Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery

    Whit Merrifield Announces Retirement

    White Sox Sign Noah Syndergaard To Minor League Deal

    Corbin Carroll Placed On IL With Wrist Fracture

    Hoops Rumors Has The Latest On NBA Draft, Free Agency

    Mets Option Francisco Alvarez

    Reds To Promote Chase Burns For MLB Debut

    Recent

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Mets Trade Donovan Walton To Phillies

    Colin Poche Elects Free Agency

    Trey Mancini Opts Out Of D-Backs Deal

    Padres To Select Eduarniel Nunez

    Brewers’ Connor Thomas To Undergo Elbow Surgery

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Jorge Mateo To Miss 8 To 12 Weeks With Hamstring Strain

    Reds To Sign Buck Farmer To Minor League Deal

    Pirates Trade Hunter Stratton To Braves

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version